Jet Streams explores the profound influence of these high-altitude winds on our daily weather and global climate. It explains how jet streams form due to atmospheric pressure, temperature differences, and the Coriolis effect, covering both the Polar and Subtropical Jet Streams and their seasonal variations. One intriguing aspect is how disruptions in the Polar Jet Stream can trigger extreme weather, like unleashing Arctic air into lower latitudes, causing severe winter storms.
The book argues that jet streams actively shape our climate through meandering paths called Rossby waves, leading to prolonged droughts or intense rainfall. It explains that scientists use weather satellites and computer simulations to study jet streams. Progressing from basic atmospheric principles to jet stream variability and its link to climate change, the book highlights the interdisciplinary connections between meteorology, oceanography, and geography, examining how landforms influence jet stream patterns.
The book adopts an accessible approach suitable for students, researchers, and weather enthusiasts, presenting complex scientific concepts in a clear manner. It concludes with a discussion on how climate change might impact jet stream behavior, potentially altering their strength and stability, with significant consequences for global weather patterns.
