Since late January...average temperatures across our area and for the eastern third of the United States
for that matter...have been below normal. At the mid levels of the atmosphere...about 20,000 feet...is the
500 millibar pressure pattern. This is a standard level meteorologists use to look at short and mid term patterns.
The cool colors on the image above show a classic 500 millibar trough across the eastern U.S. This is a set-up
for much cooler than average temperatures. So far this month...average temperatures in our area are well below normal...
averaging between four and six degrees below normal.
Recently...we have seen a pattern shift. As you can see from the graphic above...the 500 millibar
pattern is aligned more west to east. This is known as a zonal or flat pattern and tends to keep the
cold air across the northern latitides. Medium range models are showing this pattern persisting for
some time. We should see near normal or slightly above average temperatures for the near future.
National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office, Wilmington NC
2015 Gardner Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 762-4289
Page Author:
Web Master's E-mail: ilm.webmaster@noaa.gov
Page Last Modified: February 20, 2007
Weather Forecast Office, Wilmington NC
2015 Gardner Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 762-4289
Page Author:
Web Master's E-mail: ilm.webmaster@noaa.gov
Page Last Modified: February 20, 2007