Data Center: Jetstreams

At high altitude, strong stead wind patterns persist, transporting air from one location to another. In certain airs, these wind patterns are especially strong, forming a sort of "river of air" which transports air quickly from one place to another. These rivers are called jetstreams and are important parts of our planet's weather patterns. By flying in a jet stream, airplanes can travel much faster to their destination while using much less fuel, or use much more fuel and take much longer if they must travel against the flow of the jetstream. Jetstreams also have a profound influence on weather: a jetstream that comes further south than normal in winter can bring cold arctic air further south than normal, causing a colder than normal winter, for example.

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© Copyright 2008 Barbara Schoeberl