Jet Stream

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents in the atmosphere. It is the physical mechanism of a teleconnection. The main terrestrial jet streams are located near the altitude of the tropopause and are westerly winds, flowing west to east around the globe. The Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere each have a polar jet around their respective polar vortex at around 30,000 ft above sea level and typically travelling at around 110 mph (180 km/h) although often considerably faster. Closer to the equator, somewhat higher and somewhat weaker, is a subtropical jet.

Stream

A stream is a continuous body of surface water flowing within the bed and banks of a channel. The channel is a watercourse, although the watercourse may be seasonally or periodically dry. Depending on its location or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to by a variety of local or regional names. A long, large stream is usually called a river, while a smaller, less voluminous, and more intermittent stream is known as a creek or tributary, among other names.

jet stream

Noun

1. Any of the high-speed, high-altitude air currents that circle the Earth in a westerly direction.
2. Synonym of contrail; a flow of exhaust gasses from a jet engine.