Pattern Shift Ahead, And Maybe Some Tropical Trouble?

Well after weeks of cool, unsettled weather for a large portion of the nation - a pattern shift over the next few days will change things up a bit and give some of our southern states a much needed break from the severe weather.

A ridge of high pressure is currently building across the center of the US. This will shift the main storm track well to the north, bringing plenty of low-level moisture into the northern plains on southerly winds.

We may see some strong to severe thunderstorms as far north as the Canadian border in the coming days.

Along with the ridge means an increase in the temperatures - with widespread 80s and even lower 90s across the middle states - possibly as far north as southern Minnesota!

Meanwhile, looking out into the future - the GFS forecast model shows an area of low pressure developing off the coast of the Carolinas as we head into the middle of next week.

The low pressure sits and spins off the coast for at least 2 to 3 days.

In the event this happens, it will definitely be the cause for unsettled weather along the Atlantic coastline as we head into the Memorial Day weekend.

Will it be a tropical low? Hard to say this early in the game....it's hard to say if the low will even form....but we are approaching the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season which officially starts on June 1.

So stay tuned!

Meanwhile, here is a look from the Gulf Coast of Florida as a cold front approaches. This shot is courtesy of one of our CoCoRaHS observers. The system produced strong gusty winds up to 60 MPH!