Quote:
Originally Posted by ballaratdragons
Paul,
The jet streams (there is more than one) are caused by temperature differences in the atmosphere.
The most famous jet stream is the Polar Jet Stream. It forms where the cold, polar air meets the warm air from the tropics. The large temperature difference between these two causes a large pressure difference as well.
Air from high pressure flows in the direction of low pressure. Since the pressure changes so quickly, the air flows between pressures very fast. The strong winds are formed, which are called jet streams.
Or for the long answer:
http://www.atmos.millersville.edu/~lead/JS_Advanced_Answers.html |
I'll bet there's a Coriolis component in there somewhere too!
Al.