The sweeping pattern that's now influencing much of the USA's weather is called an omega block because of its resemblance to the Greek letter.

A high-pressure pattern called the "Omega Block" will keep dry conditions in Portland through Wednesday of next week, but wetter conditions are expected to arrive by the first weekend of February.

A common upper-air pattern seems to be coming a few weeks early. It could be the sign this particular weather pattern will be worked off by the end of May.

Omega block weather pattern is forecast this weekend to flip temperatures, bring snow, storms across the country. Here's what it means.