High pressure located in the upper and middle levels of the atmosphere often dominates weather cycles across the southern and central United States during the summer months.  Occasionally, this high will migrate even farther northward to the northern tier of states, allowing tropical weather systems to encroach upon the deep south, bringing rain-cooled temperatures along with high humidity values.  This year is different; those summer identifiers are a thing of the past.  With the advent of El Nino, which developed offshore South America this spring, and is migrating northward into the tropical east Pacific this summer, the summertime high pressure (dome) has become entrenched over the the entire southern tier of states, and now extends eastward from California across Texas to areas of the deep south.  Meanwhile, a strong almost springlike trough has remained over the Northeastern states, producing flooding rains at times.

This weather pattern is expected to persist for another month or so, at which time high pressure over the south will begin to break down, allowing intense tropical weather systems to approach both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.  Please stay alert.  The extreme heat wave across the deep south will intensify further over the next two weeks, and is likely to produce some challenge to the operation of electrical grids across portions of the south and southwestern U.S.   As August wears on, the heat will subside, only to allow for the development and migration of the tropical systems mentioned above.  Please stay alert.  Some of these tropical cyclones (hurricanes) are sure to be blog-worthy !