jet stream

noun

Definition of jet stream

: a long narrow meandering current of high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250 miles (402 kilometers) per hour

Examples of jet stream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two major factors are altering Hurricane Dorian’s path: The jet stream and the Bermuda High. — Los Angeles Times, "What forces are pulling Hurricane Dorian to the north?," 31 Aug. 2019 Typically, Colorado’s busiest months for severe weather are in May and June, when an active jet stream and springtime temperature clashes create ripe conditions for strong storms. — Chris Bianchi, The Denver Post, "Colorado is experiencing a slow severe weather season this summer," 7 Aug. 2019 Earlier in the month, when frigid weather plagued the region, the jet stream was south of Charlotte, which brought in cool air, Wimberley said. — Lavendrick Smith, charlotteobserver, "Sick of the snow and cold? Warm weather is coming this weekend.," 17 Jan. 2018 The possible relationship between a warming Arctic and changing behavior of the jet stream is still a matter of real scientific debate. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Tested: Idea that sea ice steadies jet stream, blocking cold winters," 12 Aug. 2019 The shape of the Northern Hemisphere jet stream is at least partly controlled by the difference in temperature between the equator and the Arctic. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "A heat wave is turning Greenland’s ice to slush. That's bad news.," 1 Aug. 2019 London, for example, saw temperatures nearly 30 degrees above normal — the result of a shift in the jet stream that allowed hot air from the Sahara to migrate northward. — Eugene Robinson, The Mercury News, "Robinson: After Mueller, Trump’s wrecking ball keeps swinging," 26 July 2019 The meandering of the polar jet stream affects weather across the Northern Hemisphere. — Somini Sengupta, New York Times, "A Heat Wave Tests Europe’s Defenses. Expect More.," 1 July 2019 But part of the reason, some scientists think, has to do with the jet stream, the wavy band of air currents that snakes around the planet, locking into place weather patterns on either side of it. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "A heat wave is turning Greenland’s ice to slush. That's bad news.," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jet stream.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.