Classic Papers 2015: Getting up to speed with Jet Streams.
LOCATION
Periodicals Section
Central Library
South Kensington Campus
London
SW7 2AZ
UK
Many meteorologists, particularly radio and television weather presenters, give the impression there is but one wave-like jet stream encircling the hemisphere in the upper troposphere of middle latitudes and they tend to give the impression that this jet is wholly responsible for the intensity and movements of extratropical depressions. This may be a helpful simplification for the presenters when providing forecasts for the public but is, in fact, an incorrect concept. This so-called ‘polar front jet stream’ is discontinuous, with maxima of wind speed on wave crests and low speeds in troughs. Far from there being one polar front jet stream in the middle latitudes of each hemisphere, there are several.
A classic paper in the 1960s showed how conversion of potential to kinetic energy along slope convection in middle latitudes can be responsible for the formation of jet streams in the upper troposphere, with associated cyclogenesis to the right of jet entrances and left of jet exits. Since the 1960s, both knowledge and understanding of polar front and other types of jet streams in various latitudes and at various altitudes and in relation to weather systems of various scales have advanced greatly. This meeting reviews current knowledge and understanding of jet streams.
REMOTE PARTICPATION | The Society is pleased to offer Remote participation (CloudCast) (simultaneous audio and PowerPoint presentations). Access to the web conferencing is free and is open to members and non members but requires prior registration.
This is a joint meeting with the History of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography Special Interest Group.
Many meteorologists, particularly radio and television weather presenters, give the impression there is but one wave-like jet stream encircling the hemisphere in the upper troposphere of middle latitudes and they tend to give the impression that this jet is wholly responsible for the intensity and movements of extratropical depressions. This may be a helpful simplification for the presenters when providing forecasts for the public but is, in fact, an incorrect concept. This so-called ‘polar front jet stream’ is discontinuous, with maxima of wind speed on wave crests and low speeds in troughs. Far from there being one polar front jet stream in the middle latitudes of each hemisphere, there are several.
A classic paper in the 1960s showed how conversion of potential to kinetic energy along slope convection in middle latitudes can be responsible for the formation of jet streams in the upper troposphere, with associated cyclogenesis to the right of jet entrances and left of jet exits. Since the 1960s, both knowledge and understanding of polar front and other types of jet streams in various latitudes and at various altitudes and in relation to weather systems of various scales have advanced greatly. This meeting reviews current knowledge and understanding of jet streams.
REMOTE PARTICPATION | The Society is pleased to offer Remote participation (CloudCast) (simultaneous audio and PowerPoint presentations). Access to the web conferencing is free and is open to members and non members but requires prior registration.
This is a joint meeting with the History of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography Special Interest Group.