STORM2K

Many forecasters look to the Pacific Ocean for signs of pattern changes, whether it be from El Nino, La Nina, or as some put it, teleconnections that cause things to happen in the U.S. or off the east coast. What I don't understand is this...What makes everyone so sure that a pattern change has to begin in the Pacific Ocean? Some forecasters say that if a ridge or trough develops somewhere in the Pacific, it will cause the development of a ridge or trough here in the U.S. Why can't the pattern change start in the Atlantic? I realize that the Pacific is a very large body of water, but why does every pattern change have to start in the Pacific?

Dave R wrote:Many forecasters look to the Pacific Ocean for signs of pattern changes, whether it be from El Nino, La Nina, or as some put it, teleconnections that cause things to happen in the U.S. or off the east coast. What I don't understand is this...What makes everyone so sure that a pattern change has to begin in the Pacific Ocean? Some forecasters say that if a ridge or trough develops somewhere in the Pacific, it will cause the development of a ridge or trough here in the U.S. Why can't the pattern change start in the Atlantic? I realize that the Pacific is a very large body of water, but why does every pattern change have to start in the Pacific?

The patterns do not necessarily have to start out in the Pacific but since our weather in the USA tends to move west to east it tends to come across that the Pacific changes are the most important..... Short term wise



Jim

WHat Jim said, but ill add to that. I've tracked a few hurricanes that hit the US mainland last year across the atlantic, and into europe, over russia, above japan, into alaska, and right smack into California. It was amazing, and happens alot. Meaning the low pressure with the former hurricane still circles the earth.

GeoMan James