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JET STREAMS

HIGH-ALTITUDE WIND SYSTEM

“Atmospheric autobahn - high-speed wind rivers steering Earth's weather”

Formation

Temperature differences between air masses create pressure gradients

Impact

Steer surface weather systems, create turbulence for aircraft

Technical specs

Wind80-275 mph

RegionsGlobal, separate streams for each hemisphere

elite tier

Famous encounter

Used by Japanese 'Fire Balloon' bombs in WWII to cross the Pacific

Etymology

First identified by Wasaburo Oishi in the 1920s, gained prominence in WWII aviation

BLOCKING HIGHS
Weather roadblock - stationary high pressure fortress deflecting all storms
POLAR VORTEX
Arctic fortress - spinning wall of frigid air guarding polar regions
ANTICYCLONES
High pressure dome of stability - nature's weather shield deflecting storms

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