Jet Stream: A Journey Through our Changing Climate

The jet stream is a mysterious agent that has risen to prominence in many cases, influencing human life around the hemisphere. This book explores the jet stream's effect on weather and climate, from Aristotle's early theories to today's understanding. It discusses how the jet is connected with dramatic contrasts between climate zones and has played a key historical role in determining patterns of trade. It also discusses how climate change is expected to affect the jet and introduces the scientific debate over whether these changes have contributed to recent extreme weather events.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The jet stream, a mysterious and influential weather phenomenon, has captured the attention of scientists, policymakers, and the general public alike. In recent years, the Northern Hemisphere has experienced a series of extreme weather events, ranging from scorching heatwaves to devastating cold winters, floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires. These events have sparked intense debates and discussions about the causes and implications of climate change.

One key factor that has been implicated in these extreme weather events is the jet stream. The jet stream is a fast-moving river of air high in the atmosphere that plays a crucial role in shaping the weather patterns across the globe. In this book, we embark on an approachable exploration of the jet stream, aimed at providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating weather phenomenon.

We begin our journey on a windswept beach in Barbados, where we witness the ascent of a weather balloon. This balloon will travel along the jet stream, circumnavigating the world and providing us with a unique perspective on the impact of the jet on human life around the hemisphere. From this vantage point, we observe the profound effects of the jet on our weather and climate.

We learn about the basic physics underlying the jet stream, including the principles of air circulation, temperature gradients, and wind shear. We explore how these factors influence the formation and movement of the jet, and how they contribute to the development of weather systems such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.

We also delve into the historical significance of the jet stream, tracing its evolution from Aristotle's early theories to today's sophisticated computer models. We see how the jet has played a key role in determining patterns of trade and migration throughout history, and how it has influenced the development of civilizations and cultures.

As we continue our exploration, we discuss how climate change is expected to affect the jet stream. We examine the impact of rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other factors on the jet's behavior and intensity. We explore the potential consequences of these changes on our weather and climate, including the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

In addition to its scientific significance, the jet stream also has important implications for our daily lives. We explore how the jet affects our travel plans, our energy consumption, and our agricultural practices. We discuss the strategies that individuals, communities, and governments can use to adapt to the changing jet stream and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.

Throughout our journey, we provide readers with plenty of juicy little facts and anecdotes that will enhance their understanding of the jet stream and its role in shaping our world. We aim to make this book accessible to a wide audience, including students, scientists, policymakers, and anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating weather phenomenon.

In conclusion, the jet stream is a mysterious and influential weather phenomenon that has played a significant role in shaping our world. In this book, we provide an approachable exploration of the jet stream, aimed at providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating weather phenomenon. We hope that this book will inspire further research and discussion about the causes and implications of climate change, and that it will contribute to our collective efforts to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and build a more resilient and sustainable future.

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 214 x 138 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192845313