Global Winds & Jet Stream

Front

What causes wind?

Back

Wind is caused by convection currents, which occur when warm air rises and cool air sinks.

Front

What are jet streams?

Back

Jet streams are narrow belts of strong winds found in the upper troposphere that influence weather patterns.

Front

What happens to air when it is heated?

Back

When air is heated, it expands and rises.

Front

What weather can North Carolina expect if the jet stream moves south?

Back

North Carolina will experience cold weather.

Front

How does the jet stream affect weather?

Back

The jet stream transports weather systems that affect us.

Front

Define convection currents.

Back

Convection currents are movements of air or liquid caused by differences in temperature and density.

Front

What are the westerlies?

Back

The westerlies are prevailing winds that blow from the west to the east in the mid-latitudes.

Front

What are trade winds?

Back

Trade winds are steady winds that flow from east to west in the tropics.

Front

What is the role of the jet stream in weather forecasting?

Back

The jet stream helps meteorologists predict weather patterns by indicating where storms may develop.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and air pressure?

Back

As temperature increases, air pressure typically decreases because warm air is less dense.