THE JET STREAM

So if it is fairly straight it will suck air up from the surface causing low pressure with windy unsettled weather. If looping around it is more likely to result in higher more settled weather (hot in summer and freezing in winter). I am not too sure of this explanation! However looking at jet stream maps there does seem to be a good correlation between the wind speeds and the weather below. I am just not sure about the loopy bit!

I tentatively think that if the jet stream is above us we will have low pressure with windy wet conditions. If we are inside a meander it is more likely to be settled weather. If we are at the bottom of a meander that will bring winds and temperatures from the north, if the jet stream is arching above us it will bring light winds from the south and be warmer.

I think this is all correct but check it out for yourselves at the met office web site. But be prepared for explanations of the Coriolis effect, Rossby Waves, and other wonders.

However I cannot finish without saying that the Japanese tried to bomb California during WW2 using the jet stream and bombs attached to lanterns! It also meant that bombers from UK heading to Germany with full fuel load and bombs to longer to get back against the jet stream despite being massively lighter. It is also quicker to get from NY to London than the reverse.

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