So which one is it? I understand that there is an interplay between
ridges and troughs in the jetstream and cyclonic or anticylonic
behavior on the surface... highs and lows are either cut off or fed
by corresponding lows and highs in the jetsream. But are the surface
and high altitude really in perfect balance? Or does one really
determine the other all the time? Maybe just a little bit? Maybe
under certain conditions one has more influence than the other?

Enlighten me, sage seers of the newsgroups...