After a string of cool, wintry days, summer has returned on strong southwest winds; this afternoon, our high in central Missouri has just passed 80 degrees F. Clockwise winds around a high pressure dome, currently centered over the Carolinas, and counterclockwise winds around low pressure over southeastern Colorado are funneling warm air up from the Southern Plans and the Gulf of Mexico.
However, not far to our north and northwest the chilly air persists; Des Moines, Iowa, is 46 degrees F and Omaha, Nebraska, is 44. Our summer-like interlude will be brief as the warm dome shifts eastward, northerly winds develop and Canadian high pressure invades the Heartland. Highs in the 40s are expected for much of the next week with lows near freezing; indeed snow is forecast for next Tuesday (five days from now).
Such is the undulating pattern of autumn weather, especially across the Great Plains and Midwest. Until the jet stream levels out for the winter (usually well south of our region) the atmospheric battles will continue. In all likelihood, this is summer's last gasp but predicting the weather is a humbling pastime.
