Jet Streaks

GEOG 451 Dynamic Meteorology Ball State University Presented by Kelly Boyd December 12th 2011

Summary of My Lecture
Review of basic concepts of jet streaks Dynamic equations that explain jet streaks
Jetogentic functions Vertical motions of jet streaks Propagation over a distance per time
Cross-Jet Ageostropic term and Coriolis term

Definition and characteristics

Why jet streaks are important in weather forecasting

Produces heavy snowfall events in the winter Severe weather events in the spring/summer/fall
climatology of jet streaks (case study by Clark et al. 2009)

Jet Streaks (J.S.)

An area of a jet stream with maximum winds
Basic forcing mechanism are thermal winds
Winds that usually blow >160 knots High level located around 300-250mb level 250-1000 km in length 50 to 200 km in width

Evolve over a scale of a few hours to days

Propagation over an area is slower than the speed of the winds within a jet streak J.S. can be found in both the Polar and Subtropical jets

 A strong/large temperature gradient at the surface is usually a sign of jet streaks aloft around the 300mb level

Forcing Mechanism of Jet Streaks

 J.S. can not only advect temperatures and humidity but also itself Strong influence on mesoscale systems and deep moist convection Most jet streaks have strong PVA (created by vorticity shear)

Jet Streaks Continued

Image Source: Matt Eastin Ph.D. from UNC Geography Dept.

Jet Streak Wind Velocity

Like all theoretical winds aloft, velocity within a jet streak (the real wind, M in the diagram) can be calculated by first computing the:
Geostrophic wind component (Vg) or (G in the diagram) Agestrophic wind component (Va) or (Vag in the diagram )
The four quadrant model

M = Vg (G) + Vag (Vg)

Image From: Stull, R., 2000: Meteorology for Scientist and Engineers, pg. 292

 A quantitative kinematic process to measure jet streaks intensity

The rate of change of the intensity of the jet streak following air-parcel motion Either intensifying or weakening 2 is the 3D Laplacian of the horizontal wind speed as a f(time)
(AKA complex advection)

Jetogenetic Function

D 2 J = u Dt

J is a unit-less #
Source: Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective, pg. 203

Measuring a Jet Streak

The best way to represent a jet streaks intensity in a coordinate system is one in which an air parcel moves along a jet streaks same frame of reference
(Eulerian or Lagrangian?)

The formula assumes:

= 0 in the center of the jet streak (advection WRT u is not changing) The jet streak is oriented E to W (zonally) Jetogenesis /Jetolysis is measured along or near a jet axis

Source: Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective, pg. 203

J = f 0 va
2
Cross-Jet Ageostrophic Term

v 2 y
Coriolis Term

Cross Jet Ageostrophic Term

The dominate of the two terms (in mid latitudes)
Again 2 is the Laplacian operator (complex advection WRT va) is the ageostrophic component of the wind in the y-direction
Red arrows = Jetogenesis Blue arrows = Jetolysis

f 0 va
2

A jet streak will increase in magnitude if va is maximized along the jet axis Arrows represent Va Winds Jetogenesis (J > 0)

Jetolysis (J < 0)

Image Source: Matt Eastin Ph.D. from UNC Geography Dept.

v 2 y Often small in magnitude (sometimes neglected)

Remember , =

Coriolis Term
~1011 1 1

(very small)

is the wind speed over a poleward distance towards the poles

When taken into effect (usually in wx. models):

Jeteogenesis -occurs wherever the meridional wind decreases as one moves northward Jetolysis -occurs wherever the meridional wind increases as on moves northward

Source: Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective, pg. 203

 Can be determined using a simplified vorticity equation: D (Div ) Dt Thus, the vorticity change through time can be measured by a parcel of air moving through the jet streak
Assuming a jet streak in the N.H.

Vertical Motion of Jet Streaks

Used in wx. models

Image Source: Matt Eastin Ph.D. from UNC Geography Dept.

Easier Equation for Vertical Motion

To find mid-level vertical velocity (wmid) below a left exit region and right entrance region of a J.S.
=

We can derive an Wmid equation using the 2D continuity equation and equation of ageostrophic wind velocity (W.R.T. East-West) where U is the velocity of the wind through the J.S. core U is the change in wind speed from the center of the J.S. to the exit region f is the Coriolis parameter x is the E-W distance of the jet streak y is the N-S distance of the jet streak (width) z is the vertical thickness at the core of the jet streak
Formula From: Ronald Stull, 2000 Meteorology for Scientist and Engineers, pg. 292

Example
Suppose a jet streak of width of 1000 km has a core wind speed of 50m/s that decreases eastward to 25 m/s across a distance of 1000 km. If the jet region is 5km thick, find the mid-level vertical velocity.

This answer is fairly large compared to average V.V. values A value such as this can drastically intensity a cyclone (both in synoptic and mesoscale)

(50 1 1 ) (25 1 1 ) 5 = = 0.0625 1 1 (104 1 ) (106 ) 1000

Formula From: Ronald Stull, 2000 Meteorology for Scientist and Engineers, pg. 292

Detecting Vertical Motion of J.S.

Image Source: Matt Eastin Ph.D. from UNC Geography Department

Background of Vertical Propagation

The movement and direction of a jet streak/stream can be determined by quasi-geostrophic analysis through the height tendency equation with geostrophic coordinates:
0 2 2 2 + 2

A.) 3D Laplacian of height tendency

B.) Advection of absolute geostrophic vorticity WRT geostrophic wind

0 2 0 +

C.) Vertical variation of geostrophic thickness advection

It is calculated by eliminating the ageostrophic vertical motion (omega) between the Q-G thermodynamic equation and the Q-G vorticity equation Q-G height tendency equation involves the time derivative of the height field (chi) Helps predict the movement of jet streaks/streams in wx. models
Source: Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective, pg. 208-209

 For simplicity, we will assume the jet streak is at the 300 mb level aloft dropping the temperature advection term (C) (Why assume?):
A.) 3D Laplacian of height tendency

Propagation of Jet Streaks

0 2 2 2 + = 0 2

B.) Advection of absolute geostrophic vorticity WRT geostrophic wind

If B is positive, then A is positive

There is a height fall (PVA)

If B is negative, then A is negative

There is a height rise (NVA)

In this case the trough is deepening since there is PVA and the height is falling Image Source: Matt Eastin Ph.D. from UNC Geography Dept.

Why J.S. are important in Severe Wx.

Jet streaks along with isotropic lift, frontogensis and some degree of instability causes strong upward motion Add sufficient moisture from a L.L.J. can equal a large amount of precipitation or severe weather

Image Source: NWS Louisville: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=jet_streaks

Severe Weather and Jet Streaks

Jet streaks ahead of fronts cause enhanced convection through vertical wind shear
Cause a combination of ageostrophic circulations from jet streaks and the front can create strong lift along the warm (unstable side of the front) Low level jet will bring warm air/moisture into the area

Image Sources: Bluestein 1986, Fronts & jet streaks: A theoretical perspective, pg. 210 and the Louisville NWS http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=jet_streaks

A Climatology of J.S. & Severe Wx.

Conducted by: Clark, et al., 2009: Climatology of storm reports relative to upper-level jet streaks. Weather Forecasting, 24, 1032-1051. Study and Spatial/Temporal Areas:
They examined the location of all severe wx. reports (tornado, hail, winds) relative to any upper-level jet streaks Mid-western U.S. From 1994 to 2004 (March to September)

Expectations/ hypothesis :
Increased vertical shear and enhanced motion will cause greater storm longevity and parcels being lifted to the LFC in the right entrance and left exit regions

 Results from Clark et al 2009:

A Climatology of J.S. & Severe Wx.

A total of 126,864 storm reports occurred during the ten year period of the study 84% were associated with upper-level jet streaks

 Results continued: All reports were geo-referenced to the four quadrant model associated with jet streaks with reference to entrance and exit quadrants

A Climatology of J.S. & Severe Wx.

It was found yes indeed, a majority of severe wx. reports were located in the right- entrance and along jet streaks axis in the exit region

A Climatology of J.S. & Severe Wx.

Top left: 250hPa winds & divergence Top right: MSLP, 10 m height winds, divergence Bottom left: Surface CAPE/CIN Bottom right: Surface height

Summary of Lecture
Defined Jet Streaks & Forcing Mechanisms Jet Streak Velocities Jetogenetic Functions Measuring Jet Streak Intensities Jet Streak Vertical Motions Jet Streak Propagation How/Why Jet Streaks are Important In Severe Wx.

 Thanks for listening!

Good luck on Finals!

Questions?

Picture of a Jet Stream from Space: Via NASA

Sources:
Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective. Mesoscale Meteorology and Forecasting, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 173-215. Clark, A. J., C. J. Schaffer, W. A. Gallus, and K. Johnson-Omara, 2009: Climatology of storm reports relative to upper-level jet streaks. Wea. Forecasting, 24, 1032-1051. Eastin, M. D., 2009: University of North Carolina Charlotte, Departmetn of Geography Advanced Synoptic Course, Lecture 11: Jet Streaks, Link: http://geoearth.uncc.edu/people/meastin/class/advsyn/METR4245-jets.ppt Holton, J. R. (2004). Synoptic-scale motions I: Quasi-geostrophic analysis, An introduction to dynamic meteorology: 4th edition (139 - 181). Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic Press. NWS Louisville Website Published July 10th 2009: Entrance of Jet Streaks Link: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=jet_streaks Stull, R. B., 2000: Meteorology for Scientist and Engineers. Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning., 2nd Edition, 291-293