The Jet Stream


Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere. The winds blows from west to east in jet streams but the flow often shifts to the north and south. Jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air.

Since these hot and cold air boundaries are most pronounced in winter, jet streams are the strongest for both the northern and southern hemisphere winters.

Jet Stream

Legend


Jet StreamJet Stream
High PressureHigh pressure
Low PressureLow Pressure

Graphic Data Source: Environment Canada