WW2010
University of Illinois

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Reading Maps
 
  introduction
 
  utc conversions
 
  temp conversions
 
  surface obs
 
  surface maps
 
> upper air obs

Upper Air Features
 
  geopotential height
 
> jet stream
 
  jet streaks
 
  troughs
 
  ridges
 
  wind vectors
 
  300 winds & heights

User Interface
 
  graphics
> text

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Jet Stream
current of rapidly moving air

The jet stream is a current of fast moving air found in the upper levels of the atmosphere. This rapid current is typically thousands of kilometers long, a few hundred kilometers wide, and only a few kilometers thick. Jet streams are usually found somewhere between 10-15 km (6-9 miles) above the earth's surface. The position of this upper-level jet stream denotes the location of the strongest SURFACE temperature contrast (as in the diagram below).

[Image: jet stream schematic (28K)]


During the winter months, Arctic and tropical air masses create a stronger surface temperature contrast resulting in a strong jet stream. However, during the summer months, when the surface temperature variation is less dramatic, the winds of the jet are weaker.

Below is an ETA Model forecast panel for 300 mb winds and geopotential heights (white contours). The color filled regions indicate wind speed in knots and is color coded according to the legend at the bottom of the image. The shades of blue indicate winds less than 60 knots, while winds greater than 120 knots are given in shades of red.

[Image: jet stream example (21K)]


The yellow, green and red ribbon on the image above represents the jet stream, and along the East Coast, the region of strongest winds (shaded in red) is a jet streak.


Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.