CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains connection between dry Prairies, U.S. flooding

Hot, dry weather across the Prairies and deadly flooding in Texas and Oklahoma are both the result of a blocked jet stream, according to CBC News meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe.

• Death toll in Texas, Oklahoma floods rises to 19
• Environment Canada relies on social media to spot nasty storms

"Since the beginning of the month, the jet stream — that fast band of moving air that normally carries our weather systems from west to east — has been locked in place. In fact, it's splitting the stream in two," she said.

That means a high-pressure system is keeping hot, dry air in the Prairies while a low-pressure system is bringing in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, she said. 

Watch the explanation from Wagstaffe in the video above.