Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Chapter 12: Meteorology

Problem of the Week

Flight Height and the Jet Stream

The students will come up with various scenarios, but they should indicate that they would begin on the West Coast somewhere either northwest or southwest, depending on the jet steam path they choose.

  • Looking at the northern most jet stream, they should notice a distinct dip North and south. This would take them in a less direct route.

  • Looking at the southernmost jet stream, this would take them more directly across the U. S.

The students will need to use skills of estimation to determine wind speed and altitude depending on the route they take. They should be able to make some estimate using the color-coded key for wind speed and general knowledge about where the jet streams occur in relation to altitude.

Resources:

  1. Balloon Race: Frequently Asked Questions About the Jet Stream
    NOVA Online Adventure. (2000). This is great site for exploration on balloon flight and recent attempts to circumnavigate Earth in a balloon.

  2. Jet Stream. WW2010: The weather world 2010 project
    Department of Atmospheric Science University of Illinois.

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