Scientists from the Academy of Sciences warn that the North Atlantic jet stream may shift northward due to global warming, potentially causing severe weather in North America and Europe. The jet stream, a fast-moving air band, is influenced by pressure differences between Arctic and southern air. Researchers studied Greenland ice layers to understand past jet stream positions and predict a northward shift by 2060 if emissions continue. This shift could lead to more extreme weather events.

What potential impact could the northward migration of the North Atlantic jet stream have on North America and Europe?

• Increased snowfall

• More severe flooding, droughts, and heat waves

• Decreased rainfall

• Milder winters

What causes the formation of the North Atlantic jet stream?

• The gravitational pull of the moon

• The difference in pressure between cold Arctic air and warmer air to the south

• The rotation of the Earth

• The movement of ocean currents

How does the North Atlantic jet stream benefit airliners traveling from the US to Europe?

• By offering a time-saving boost

• By increasing passenger comfort

• By reducing fuel consumption

• By providing a smoother flight

What method did researchers use to study the historical positions of the jet stream?

• Deep holes in the Greenland ice sheet

• Satellite imagery

• Weather balloons

• Computer simulations

By what year do researchers predict the jet stream could migrate northward if emissions continue?

• 2070

• 2050

• 2060

• 2040