Here is a look at why we have been so dry.

Who would have thought that after seeing one of the wettest winters on record at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, our main climatological site since 1887, we would turn around and be on pace to see one of the driest springs.

While we cannot discern the exact reasoning for the dry conditions the last few months we can explain why we have been so dry and warm the past few day. That reason is based on what we call a "blocking pattern."

A blocking pattern in meteorology is when the upper level high pressure ridge "blocks" the typical west to east movement of the jet stream and causes it to go up, over and back down the other side of the ridge. This shift from more of a tranquil jet stream pattern, moving from the west to the east (zonal flow), to the volatile jet stream pattern, moving from the north to the south (meridional flow), caused by the blocking pattern can cause both flooding and drought conditions across the United States.

The blocking pattern we are seeing right now is called an Omega Block as it resembles the Greek letter - Ω. The ridge of high pressure is almost locked in place and causes the lows to stay rather stationary as well. This persistent pattern has caused flooding rains for Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri that past week while we've seen drought like conditions spread across the southeast.

Luckily, this pattern will begin to break down Sunday night and we'll start to see some more rain chances next week. We need the rain as about 70% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions.