A study conducted by researchers at Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research has shown the relation between atmospheric jet stream fluctuations and the theoretical concepts explaining the existence of jet streams.
Atmospheric jet streams are rapid-flowing air currents that can be noticed above the sea level of 10 km in the extratropical areas of both hemispheres. Since regional weather patterns get affected by these jets, researchers are now paying attention to better understand the factors that manipulate the strength and path of these jets.
According to theoretical concepts, two discrete dynamical processes can result in such jets. One is eddy driving or activity in the midlatitudes and the second is thermal driving or heating in the tropics. However, the impact of these processes on the real world is not yet clear.
The Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research’s scientists have established a relation between the real-world jets and theory by detecting the impact of driving process variations on the jets. Eddy driving produces north-south changes in the jet and is significant for both Pacific and Atlantic jets. Thermal driving produces modifications in jet strength and is significant for the Pacific jet.
The study results provide a perceptual dynamical depiction of atmospheric variations in terms of actual jet stream fluctuations. Moreover, these results are helpful in assessing the ways the jets will react to climate changes like global warming.
Source: http://www.bjerknes.uib.no