Unit 4: The Jetstreams

jetstreams

narrow currents of high winds

ridge

northward buckle in the jet, allows warm air to move northward

trough

southward dip in the jet, allows cold air to move southward

jetstreaks

show areas where there is a big temperature and height difference

left front right quadrant

exit region, area of upward motion

right rear quadrant

entrance region, area of upward motion

long waves

very large waves with tremendous wavelengths

short waves

shorter wavelengths that move through the larger long wave pattern - appear as kinks in the pattern

virtual temperature

temperature you have to warm the air to so it would be equal to moist air

positive vorticity

counterclockwise flow, upward motion

negative vorticity

clockwise flow, downward motion

low level jet

found at surface - 850 mb, occurs in the warm sector ahead of cold front, can bring warming and moistening of low levels and increases instability

mid level jet

found at 850-700 mb, often associated with a capping inversion