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Jet stream

Fast-flowing atmospheric air current / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmospheres of the Earth,[1] Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.[2] On Earth, the main jet streams are located near the altitude of the tropopause and are westerly winds (flowing west to east). Jet streams may start, stop, split into two or more parts, combine into one stream, or flow in various directions including opposite to the direction of the remainder of the jet.

The polar jet stream can travel at speeds greater than 180 km/h (110 mph). Here, the fastest winds are coloured red; slower winds are blue.
Straalstroom.jpg
Clouds along a jet stream over Canada.