jetstream
Atmospheric fast lane
A jetstream is a narrow, fast-moving current of air high in the atmosphere, typically flowing west to east at altitudes where commercial aircraft fly.
Jetstreams influence weather patterns and can speed or slow flights depending on direction: We landed early thanks to a strong jetstream.
Also spelled as two words: jet stream.
Second atmospheric layer up
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- polar vortexPersistent circulating cold air mass
- westerliesWinds from the sunset
circumpolar · high-altitude · upper atmosphere · isobar · meridional · subtropical · equatorial · southern hemisphere
Traveling at high velocity
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- swiftMoving with speed
- rapidMoving with haste
- currentDirected flow of charge
flow · meandering · undulating · ribbon · corridor · channel · band · core
Planned aerial trajectory
- tailwindBreeze moving your direction
- headwindWind against travel direction
- cruising altitudeSteady airborne elevation maintained
- fuel efficiencyOutput per unit burned
turbulence · route planning · transatlantic · pilot · air travel · flight planning · great circle · eastbound
Recurring atmospheric behavior
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- storm trackForecasted tempest trajectory
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
frontal system · pressure system · climate · meteorologist · wind speed · Coriolis effect · air mass · cold front
stratosphere
Second atmospheric layer up
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- polar vortexPersistent circulating cold air mass
westerlies · circumpolar · high-altitude · upper atmosphere · isobar · meridional · subtropical · equatorial · southern hemisphere · seasonal shift
fast-moving
Traveling at high velocity
current · flow · meandering · undulating · ribbon · corridor · channel · band · core · split
flight path
Planned aerial trajectory
- tailwindBreeze moving your direction
- headwindWind against travel direction
- cruising altitudeSteady airborne elevation maintained
fuel efficiency · turbulence · route planning · transatlantic · pilot · air travel · flight planning · great circle · eastbound · westbound
weather pattern
Recurring atmospheric behavior
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- storm trackForecasted tempest trajectory
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
anticyclone · frontal system · pressure system · climate · meteorologist · wind speed · Coriolis effect · air mass · cold front · warm front
jetstreamdead calm
Complete absence of wind
calm · still air · doldrums · stagnant air · windless
jetstreamturbulence
Chaotic flow patterns
microburst · thermal · dust devil · eddy · gust