jet stream

noun

1. strong, generally westerly winds concentrated in a relatively narrow and shallow stream in the upper troposphere of the earth.

2. similar strong winds in the atmosphere of another planet.

   jet streams on Jupiter.

3. the exhaust of a jet or rocket engine.

jet stream

noun

1. meteorol a narrow belt of high-altitude winds (about 12 000 metres high) moving east at high speeds and having an important effect on frontogenesis

2. the jet of exhaust gases produced by a gas turbine, rocket motor, etc

jet stream

1. A narrow current of strong wind circling the Earth from west to east at altitudes of about 11 to 13 km (7 to 8 mi) above sea level. There are usually four distinct jet streams, two each in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Jet stream wind speeds average 56 km (34 mi) per hour in the summer and 120 km (74 mi) in the winter. They are caused by significant differences in the temperatures of adjacent air masses. These differences occur where cold, polar air meets warmer, equatorial air, especially in the latitudes of the westerlies.

jet stream

1. A narrow band of swiftly moving air found at very high altitudes.

Movements of the jet stream have important (but generally short-lived) effects on weather patterns.

Travel time in an airplane can be lengthened or shortened by the jet stream, depending on the direction of flight and the strength of the stream.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jet stream¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Hurricanes throw a huge amount of energy and heat into the atmosphere and when they head over the Atlantic they disrupt the jet stream pattern.

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The jet stream has dropped southwards sending wind and rain-bearing weather systems on a beeline for our shores.

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As we transition from summer to autumn, we typically see the jet stream moving further south and strengthening in September, which gives rise to more unsettled, stormy weather to move in from the Atlantic.

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With our jet stream currently across the south of the UK and low pressure dominating, the weather has been unsettled and mixed of late.

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An area of low pressure is set to develop on Sunday beneath a powerful 160mph Atlantic jet stream.

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