What are Jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India?
Open in App
Solution
At high altitudes in the troposphere, there is a narrow belt of westerly winds, these are known as Jet Streams.
These winds are located at an altitude of more than 12,000 m.
The speed of jet streams in winter is around 184 km/hr, whereas the speed of jet streams in summer is about 110 km/hr.
Different types of jet streams have been identified, the most common jet streams are subtropical jet streams and mid-latitude jet streams.
Subtropical westerly jet streams are located around 27°-30° north latitude.
Except summer, all through the year, these jet streams blow south of the Himalayas.
This Westerly flow brings the cyclonic disturbances experienced in the North-western and Northern parts of India.
During the summer months, approximately over 14°N, easterly jet streams blow over peninsular India. These are also known as the sub-tropical easterly jet stream.
With the apparent movement of the sun, the subtropical westerly jet stream moves north of the Himalayas.
In a south-easterly direction, over the southern Indian Ocean, air moves from the high-pressure area. Over the Indian subcontinent, air turns right towards the low-pressure areas.These are Southwest Monsoon winds.
Widespread rainfall occurs over the Indian mainland by these winds as they gather moisture while blowing over the warm oceans.
Westerly flow dominates the upper air circulation in this region. Jet stream is a very important component of this flow.