A look at the omega blocking pattern that will lead to flooding concerns

A look at the omega blocking pattern that will lead to flooding concerns

The term "omega block" comes from the jet resembling the letter omega in the Greek alphabet. The stagnant pattern creates disrupts the usual zonal flow of weather systems. During the first week of May, there are expected to be two bullseyes for heavy rainfall: a region from the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast and a second region between the nation’s capital and Boston. Forecast models show a widespread 3-6" of rain across the South, while residents in the Northeast could be subject to 1-3" with isolated higher amounts over the next week.

SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 221

WW 221 SEVERE TSTM AL GA 032235Z – 040300Z
WW 0221 Image

 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 221
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
535 PM CDT Sat May 3 2025 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of East central Alabama West central into north Georgia * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 535 PM until 1000 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible SUMMARY...A line of storms with a history of some wind damage will
continue eastward across north Georgia this evening. Farther south,
the environment does support supercells capable of producing
isolated large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter and damaging gusts
of 60-70 mph. An isolated tornado or two may occur with the
supercells and/or embedded circulations in the line. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
statute miles east and west of a line from 75 miles north northeast
of Atlanta GA to 20 miles south of Montgomery AL. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU1). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 219...WW 220... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean storm motion vector
27030. ...Thompson 

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SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 220

WW 220 SEVERE TSTM DE MD NJ PA CW 032150Z – 040300Z
WW 0220 Image

 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 220
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
550 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Northern Delaware Far northeastern Maryland New Jersey East central Pennsylvania Coastal Waters * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 550 PM until 1100 PM EDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible SUMMARY...Scattered supercells will be possible through the evening
with large hail of 1-1.5 inches in diameter and isolated wind
damage. Some clustering of storms now in northern Maryland could
spread into the watch area later this evening. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 45
statute miles east and west of a line from 10 miles south of
Wilmington DE to 25 miles west northwest of Newark NJ. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 218...WW 219... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean storm motion vector
25025. ...Thompson 

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