Longer winter may be caused by changing jet streams

Originally published on February 17, 2014

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This year's longer and harsher winter weather in the U.S. and U.K. is linked to a change in the polar jet streams, according to new research by Jennifer Francis, a climate expert at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Jet streams are very strong winds that travel between eight to 11 kilometres high above the atmosphere. They move from West to East with a speed that can reach more than 200 miles per hour. Since they create a border between hot and cold air, jet streams are able to play a key role in determining the weather.

The greater the difference between temperatures in the Arctic and the tropics, the stronger the jet stream is. Since the Arctic is now experiencing warming at faster rates than the tropics, the temperature difference is getting smaller and the jet stream weaker.

When strong, the jet stream tends to take a straighter path, but when weak it meanders. This more circuitous route over the northern latitudes might be the reason why weather systems hang around longer than they used to.

According to Francis, the more circuitous route over the northern latitudes of a weak polar jet stream might be the cause of weather systems hanging around longer than they used to.

"I can't say at this point that it is the most likely explanation. It's still such a brand new line of research. I think it's certainly one of the most likely explanations," she told the American Association for the Advancement of Science, according to a report in the Independent.

The changing jet stream could be the cause not only of this year's persistently severe winter weather in the US and UK, but also of California's long drought, Live Science reported.

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