The United States is currently experiencing an Omega Block. What is it?

Omega Block is a pressure pattern that resembles the Greek symbol 'Omega'. It features two bookending areas of low pressure with an area of high pressure squeezed in the middle. It's like a traffic jam in the atmosphere. The two areas of low pressure move very slowly and can generate heavy precipitation (cool, cloudy and wet). The high pressure tends to generate drier weather with above normal temps.

Traffic Jam

The Western area of low pressure delivers colder than normal temps and heavy rain/snow depending on elevation. We're forecasting heavy rainfall for Colorado and New Mexico (5/5-5/6). Snow could exceed a foot in Colorado above 8,000ft.

The Eastern area of low pressure delivers rain, severe weather, and cooler than normal temps.

The bottom line: This is a blocking pattern and expect slow movement.