Data Center: Jetstreams |
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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 |