Jet Streams are fast-moving currents of air that circulate above the Earth. When people refer to "the jet stream" they are usually referring to the polar-front jet stream or the subtropical jet stream, two major jet streams that shape weather patterns around the world. Two major jet streams that shape weather patterns around the world are the Polar-Front Jet stream and The Subtropical Jet stream. Shifting jet stream patterns can have a big impact on the weather. Jet streams are always changing: moving to higher or lower altitudes, breaking up, and shifting in flow, depending on the season and other variables, such as energy coming from the sun. During winter, jet streams tend to follow the sun's elevation and move toward the equator, while they move back toward the poles in spring. The seasons of the year, location of low and high pressure systems and air temperature all affect when and where a jet stream travels. Jet streams form a border between hot and cold air. Because air temperature influences jet streams, they are more active in the winter when there are wider ranges of temperatures between the competing Arctic and tropic air masses.
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