New metrics and evidence are presented that support a linkage between rapid Arctic warming, relative to Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes, and more frequent high-amplitude (wavy) jet-stream configurations that favor persistent weather patterns. We find robust relationships among seasonal and regional patterns of weaker poleward thickness gradients, weaker zonal upper-level winds, and a more meridional flow direction. These results suggest that as the Arctic continues to warm faster than elsewhere in response to rising greenhouse-gas concentrations, the frequency of extreme weather events caused by persistent jet-stream patterns will increase.
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA;Center for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Recommended Citation:
Jennifer A Francis,Stephen J Vavrus. Evidence for a wavier jet stream in response to rapid Arctic warming[J]. Environmental Research Letters,2015-01-01,10(1)