Why Do Jet Streams Race High Above Us?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey, sky explorers! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do jet streams race high above us?

The Big Idea

Jet streams are fast rivers of wind high up in the sky. They blow about 9 to 12 kilometers above the ground, which is where airplanes cruise. They steer storms like highways in the sky.

Warm Meets Cold

Step one: warm meets cold. Where very warm air from the tropics meets cold air from the poles, there is a big temperature contrast. Big contrasts make strong winds.

Earth Spins

Step two: the Earth spins. The spin of the Earth bends the wind, which squeezes it into a narrow, curvy stream. It mostly blows from west to east.

A River of Air Forms

Step three: a river of air forms. The jet stream is a narrow ribbon of very fast air, sometimes faster than 250 kilometers per hour. It wiggles up and down, north and south, as it travels.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the jet stream! The polar side holds cold air. The tropical side holds warm air. And the jet stream rushes along the boundary between them.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Pilots use the jet stream to save time and fuel on long trips. Jet streams steer storm systems, a bit like sky highways. There are jet streams in both the northern and southern halves of the world. You cannot feel the jet stream on the ground, but you can see it on weather websites.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, find a jet stream map on a weather website. Look for the ribbon of the fastest winds. Notice which way it blows. Ask: how might it steer the storms near you?

Outro

Jet streams are rivers of wind that steer the weather. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!