Pacific pattern will keep cool conditions in place

Many throughout New Jersey woke up this morning to a crisp, clear, and cool air mass as Polar air finally invaded the Garden State.  After a strong cold front blew through New Jersey yesterday evening with scattered showers and a gusty northwesterly wind, a strong Polar high pressure has become established throughout the Northeast and Mid Atlantic on west through the Great Lakes, providing excellent weather conditions for many.  However, will this pleasant change in air masses continue?

The answer can be found in the Pacific and that answer is yes.  

A powerful trough is becoming established over the western Gulf of Alaska that is becoming enhanced by a rapidly developing La Niña in the Tropical Pacific.  As this trough intensifies, a ridge over western North America becomes stronger, which leads to a trough in the East.  This pattern is not expected to break down any time soon as La Niña strengthens over the eastern and central tropical Pacific.  

Over the next several weeks, I expect stronger Polar air masses to invade New Jersey and much of the Eastern United States.  There will also be an increasing threat for coastal storms heading into October as disturbances in the Polar jet stream interact with the very warm coastal waters off the East coast this fall.  All of this is possible because of what is happening and what will continue to happen in the Pacific.