The Jet Stream
What do we need to know?
Describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
How does the jet stream affect my weather?
The Influential Jet Stream By JosĂŠ Reyes
A "Jet Stream" is an amazing phenomenon of wind current which twirls around our planet, capturing and changing anything in its path. These giant "rivers" of wind can be several hundred miles wide, 1 to 2 miles deep and can reach the speed of 400 miles an hour.
This picture shows that a jet stream is visible to the eye when it is carrying clouds with it.
How do you think they took this picture?
There are several major jet streams.
Jet Stream Facts
These powerful winds are steered North and South by warm and cold air.
Jet Streams change almost everyday, sometimes very slightly and other times drastically.
A stream of air must be over 56 miles an hour to be considered, a "Jet Stream".
The Earth’s Rotation
Why do you think the Jet Stream moves from West to East?
The Earth's rotation is the main the reason why the jet streams flow from West to East.
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
The Advantages of the Jet Stream ď Ž
ď Ž
Airplane pilots study the Jet Streams and use them to their advantage so they can hitch a ride on them to cut down on travel time and save fuel. Jet Streams are very important when predicting weather.
How does the Jet Stream affect the weather? ď Ž
The Jet Stream can create storms, but it mostly steers air masses and weather systems around the planet.
Why does it take longer to fly from New York to Los Angeles than it takes to fly from Los Angeles to New York?
The Jet Stream moves from West to East, so a plane can catch a ride and travel faster going East. When going West, the plane needs to fly into the wind, which slows it down.
Why do storms (low pressure systems) usually move from west to east?
They are caught between Jet Streams, which are moving from West to East.
Are you blown away by all these facts?
Get it? BLOWN away!!
Let’s review!
A Jet Stream is a "river" of ____ which can be several hundred miles wide, 1 to 2 miles deep and can reach the speed of 400 miles an ____.
How did you do?
A Jet Stream is a "river" of wind which can be several hundred miles wide, 1 to 2 miles deep and can reach the speed of 400 miles an hour.
Let’s review!
The Earth's ________ is the main the reason why the jet streams flow from ____ to East.
How did you do?
The Earth's rotation is the main the reason why the jet streams flow from West to East.
Let’s review!
These powerful winds are steered North and South by warm and ____ air.
The Jet Stream Let’s review!
These powerful winds are steered North and South by warm and cold air.
How did you do?
___ Streams change almost everyday, sometimes very slightly and other times very drastically.
How did you do?
Jet Streams change almost everyday, sometimes very slightly and other times very drastically.
How did you do?
A stream of ___ must be over 56 _____ an hour to be considered, a "Jet Stream".
How did you do?
A stream of air must be over 56 miles an hour to be considered, a "Jet Stream".