After months of jet streams, atmospheric rivers, snowstorms, cold waves, and low centers, a huge persistent ridge of high pressure will soon form along the West Coast.
But you will have to be patient. For three more days, a series of weak systems will bring precipitation to the area. But then the region will turn dry, and in one area, the Pacific Coast, the temperatures will rise to very pleasant levels. Book your room now!
First, the ridge. On Friday, high pressure will explode over the eastern Pacific and by 1 AM Saturday, the mother of all ridges will be evident aloft (500 hPa pressure level, about 18,000 ft) shown below. Two troughs of lower pressure/heights are found on the sides. This produces an OMEGA pattern, which is very stable.
UW Model Forecast for 1 AM Saturday
This pattern will hold in for the weekend and beyond. At the surface, high pressure will be centered…
