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Weather and Climate

The jet stream and UK weather

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3 Section B

Overview

Jet stream and rossby waves.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does the position of the jet stream affect UK weather?

Key term

How is the jet stream expected to change with a warming Arctic?

Key term

What is a jet stream?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a jet stream?

    Model answer

    A jet stream is a narrow band of very fast wind in the upper troposphere. Speeds commonly exceed 160 km per hour.

  2. 2

    Which jet stream most affects the UK?

    Model answer

    The polar front jet stream most affects the UK. The stream flows roughly west to east above the boundary between polar and tropical air.

  3. 3

    What causes a jet stream to form?

    Model answer

    A jet stream forms where a steep horizontal temperature gradient exists between two air masses. The resulting pressure gradient aloft accelerates the air, which the Coriolis effect turns into a west-to-east flow.

  4. 4

    Why is the jet stream stronger in winter?

    Model answer

    The temperature contrast between polar and tropical air is greatest in winter. A steeper gradient drives a faster flow.

  5. 5

    How does the position of the jet stream affect UK weather?

    Model answer

    Depressions track along the jet stream. A jet to the north of Britain leaves the country in warm settled air, while a jet to the south brings cool unsettled weather.

  6. 6

    What is meant by the amplitude of the jet stream?

    Model answer

    Amplitude is the size of the north-south meanders in the flow. A high-amplitude jet has deep loops and a low-amplitude jet runs almost straight.

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