Country torn between two seasons

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I'm sure that you have heard the expression, "What goes up , must come down"! That phrase applies to the weather pattern in which we now find for ourselves. The jet stream is in what we in weather call a "Meridional" flow. Meridional mans that the jet stream has huge peaks and valleys instead of a straight flow from West to East. When this happens, warm air will travel as far north as the jet stream flows, and on the flip side, cold air will flow as far south as the jetstream settles.

This week, 50s and 60s made their  way up into Western Canada whiles below freezing temperatures made their way into the southeastern part of the country.

Torn between these two seasons is the dividing line known as the jet stream. Here in the Upper Midwest we find ourselves east of the jet so we are in the cool pool that has dipped south, therefore the frigid mornings and chilly afternoon highs. 

The long range weather pattern is looking more and more like there will be a change. The big ridge out west will flatten while the trough will recede back north.

A clipper system moving down the storm track will help warm us up by pulling in warm air ahead of it.  This flattening out of the peaks and valleys of the jet stream should allow for a moderation in out temperatures come next week.