Drivers and Subseasonal Predictability of Cold Air Outbreaks in the Central United States

Even in a warming world, extreme winter weather events like cold air outbreaks still happen, causing significant challenges. Predicting these events accurately within 2-8 weeks remains difficult. This video showcases the recent work by the Applied Climate Dynamics Group at the University of Oklahoma, led by Dr. Jason Furtado, to better understand and predict cold air outbreaks in the central United States.
Dr. Furtado investigates how these outbreaks develop using observations and computer models. Learn why changes in the stratosphere (the layer of the atmosphere above where weather happens) are important for improving our forecasts and discover new ways these changes connect to the lower atmosphere, beyond what was traditionally thought.
Additionally, Dr. Furtado highlights specific weather patterns in the upper atmosphere, known as blocking patterns, which were crucial for accurate 3+ week forecasts of the February 2021 North American Cold Air Outbreak. Understanding these patterns could help us make better long-term predictions of future cold air outbreaks.
Join us as Dr. Furtado explores the complexities of cold air outbreaks and works towards more precise and timely weather forecasts.
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