The Science Behind Atmospheric Blocking

Atmospheric blocking can happen anytime of the year, and in short it keeps weather patterns the same for an extended period, from a few days to even a few weeks. With blocking patterns, storms can barely move and it keeps weather conditions over the same region similar while the blocking pattern is in control. Atmospheric blocking can be responsible for flooding, droughts, above or below normal temperatures, and other meteorological events. The reason for blocking patterns has to do with the orientation of pressure centers and the jet stream, which buckles in these patterns.

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There are multiple types of atmospheric blocking patterns, such as the Omega block or the rex block. With an Omega block setup, there is a ridge of high pressure, which brings dry and warm weather, in the middle, and two troughs of low pressure on the right and left of the ridge that bring cool, stormy weather. Omega blocks get their name because of the orientation of the ridge and the troughs, which outline the Greek letter Omega.

The other blocking pattern I mentioned is the rex block, which is when the jet stream represents half of a figure 8 shape. In this setup, there is a trough of low pressure to the south and a ridge of high pressure directly to the north. Areas under that high are warm and dry whereas locations under the low pressure are wet and cool. Also with this blocking pattern, storms barely move, including this one. Now you know the science behind atmospheric blocking.

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