Winter leaves Minnesota and heads south and east this weekend

KMSP, Minneapolis - In typical El Nino fashion, the northern branch of the jet stream, the path of storms, is heading north. Meanwhile, the southern jet stream is a bit farther north.

The result of this meteorological manipulation means milder for us and wilder for them, them being the “Deep South” and the “Eastern seaboard.

This weekend it looks like that crazy El Nino weather pattern will live up to its reputation as the northern branch of the jet gets all bent out of shape. The southern just is also out of its normal position and riding a little farther north. The energies work together and as a result a low is born. That low will ride up the Eastern seaboard and work with cold air from Canada to create a possible Nor’easter.

THE DEFINITION OF A NOR’EASTER

A nor’easter is a storm that forms within a 100 miles of shore and then follows the temperature contrast of the Atlantic shoreline. Wow, doesn’t the graphic below look eerily similar to this weekend’s temperature and Jetstream graphic pictured above?

The name “Nor’easter” comes from the strong winds created by the low that is just offshore. The circulation is counterclockwise around the low so the winds are barreling out of the northeast.

This strong northeastern wind flow pulls in cold air from up north and in the winter that can result in tons of snow.