UK Upper Wind Anomaly?

[Rich West]

Hi everyone.

I went out to watch the vey spectacular cirrus sky we had this morning. Judging by the layout of the sky I assumed they were heading East, until I noticed that the movement was visible and actually heading West. So strong-ish upper winds going the opposite way to anything I have seen before...my books tell me the motion is either W-E or waving along a curve going towards SE then E then to NE to E again etc.

Anyone have any information on this please?

Cheers and all the best

Rich

 

[cdcollura]

I assume you may be north of an upper low / trough, which would cause an easterly flow at high altitudes.

I have seen E winds at the H250 level in the central USA as well. Not uncommon.

 

[Zach Young]

I assume you may be north of an upper low / trough, which would cause an easterly flow at high altitudes.

I have seen E winds at the H250 level in the central USA as well. Not uncommon.

Particularly a cutoff low.

 

[Kelly Sugden]

Kinda off topic but sort of on topic...

Easterly winds are hemispheric this time of year associated with the quasi biennial oscillation. It's really great to see the balloon come back in the mid latitudes and to see it burst around 10 hPa.

 

[Rich West]

Thank you for the replies. I need to go and study now how upper lows get formed