Evidence for a wavier jet stream in response to rapid Arctic warming
Post date: Mar 21, 2015 4:57:11 PM
Evidence for a wavier jet stream in response to rapid Arctic warming
Jennifer A Francis1 and Stephen J Vavrus2
Jennifer A Francis and Stephen J Vavrus 2015 Environ. Res. Lett. 10 014005
doi:10.1088/1748-9326/10/1/014005
Abstract
New metrics and evidence are presented that support a linkage between rapid Arctic warming, relative to Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes, and more frequent high-amplitude (wavy) jet-stream configurations that favor persistent weather patterns. We find robust relationships among seasonal and regional patterns of weaker poleward thickness gradients, weaker zonal upper-level winds, and a more meridional flow direction. These results suggest that as the Arctic continues to warm faster than elsewhere in response to rising greenhouse-gas concentrations, the frequency of extreme weather events caused by persistent jet-stream patterns will increase.