Recent stormy weather pattern explained

SEEKONK, MASS. (WPRI) - For the third weekend in a row, a mix of winter weather is on its way to Southern New England.

As residents prepare, business owners are hoping for an end to the weather trend.

George Mihaildes owns Eats in Seekonk, Massachusetts. 

He says the restaurant business and snow don't go together, "everyone flocks to the grocery store to buy milk and bread.  Everyone says, we have all this stuff in the house, we might as well stay home."

Unfortunately, this active weather pattern will not be ending soon.

Meteorologist Pete Mangione recently posted a blog entry about the North Atlantic Oscillation, known as NAO.

During a positive phase of NAO,  a strong center of high pressure sits off the coast of Portugal, and a strong center of low pressure sits in the North Atlantic near Iceland.

The difference in pressure tends to push the storm track away from Southern New England, leading to less snow.

However, NAO is currently in a negative phase. 

The high and the low are weakened, making for a colder and closer storm track.

But, it's not all about NAO. 

During the most recent blizzard, it did not show a strong signal.

Many storm systems have also missed Southern New England under a negative NAO.

You can find more specifics on North Atlantic Oscillation on Tony's Pinpoint Weather Blog .