Meteorology · Upper Air — Blocking Pattern
A blocking high (e.g., an omega block) affects weather by:
- AOnly occurring in the tropics
- BSpeeding all systems eastward rapidly
- CEliminating all wind
- DStalling the normal eastward progression of systems, prolonging the weather over an area✓ Correct
Explanation
A blocking pattern (such as an omega-shaped ridge) interrupts the usual west-to-east march of highs and lows, holding weather in place for days — persistent storms on the flanks and dry, settled weather under the block. Routers must anticipate the prolonged conditions a block creates.
Authority: WMO; synoptic meteorology
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