Jet Stream is an important aspect of weather phenomenon and it can be described as a current of rapidly flowing air which can be found in the higher levels of the atmosphere. It is found below the tropopause which is 36,000 feet above the earth's surface. These fast-moving currents are some thousand kilometers in length but not very thick. This upper-level position of a jet stream locates the place having the highest contrast in surface temperatures.

Types of Jet Streams :

•  The two major jet streams are are positioned in the polar regions of each hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere jet streams are positioned between the latitudes of 30°N and 70°N.

•  The minor ones, known as sub-tropical jet streams are found between the latitudes of 20°N and 50°N. These are nearer to the equator.

•  “Equatorial Easterly Jet” occurs specifically in the northern hemisphere during summer. They play a major role in the formation of the south-west monsoons in south Asia.

•  Low-level Jet is found in the Great Plains which is formed as result of the Tibetan plateau getting heated and anticyclogenesis.

Properties of Jet Streams:

•  They can be discontinuous.

•  Jet Streams can split mid way and flow in a circular manner.

•  Their speed depends on the temperature gradient which is 55km/h in the summer months and 120km/h during winter.

•  Clear air turbulence or CAT is a phenomenon which is linked with jet streams . It is strongest towards the colder side of the jet stream .

Uses of Jet Stream :

•  Jet streams are very crucial for airlines as they can increase or decrease the speed of a flight.

•  They also help in weather forecasting.

Jet Streams are very important for airlines companies and they heavily depend on this phenomenon.