What is the jet stream and how is it affecting our weather?
Let’s start with the basics: The jet stream is a high in the sky, fast-flowing air current that meanders from west to east across the United States. The jet stream plays a critical role in influencing weather patterns and can impact the movement of storms and the development of weather systems. Commercial airlines generally fly across the jet stream and storm systems can use it as a steering mechanism because of its strong winds, often exceeding 100 miles per hour! Below is snapshot of the jet stream slicing across Texas on Tuesday.
For our tracking purposes, we have been watching how it has been giving extra lift to storms that have already dropped between 2-4 inches of rain on Monday. This is also the reason why we’re watching some parts of the area very carefully for a training effect that could lead to more widespread flooding. Here’s the set up on the Stormtracker 2 radar with the jet stream enhanced right on top of SE Texas:
How will it increase our flood chances for Wednesday?
Looking at the satellite image above, you can see Wednesday’s storm system swirling in SW Arizona while the storms over Texas are moving along the jet stream channel, just like a train would move along train tracks. This is what our short-range futuretrack model is showing for Tuesday into Wednesday’s storm locations across SE Texas:
Notice that the heaviest rain/strong storms are all firing up inside of the track of the jet stream? That’s because the jet allows for extra lifting of storms into the atmosphere, think of it like a Dyson vacuum sucking up the warm Gulf air.
How much rain could that mean?
In these scenarios, we’re always trying to figure out where the jet stream track is setting up, which usually corresponds to our highest rain amounts as well. Check out how much rain we could see along that axis within the jet stream track through early Thursday:
Again, this is a forecast model so the exact amounts will still have to develop, but in these scenarios, more often than not, areas that are under the “train track” of the jet stream can see significantly higher amounts of rain than areas just outside of the track. We’ll have to see how things shake out over the next 24 hours! Be sure to have the Stormtracker 2 app downloaded on your phone for real-time updates and flood conditions in your neighborhood!
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Heavy rainfall is drenching the Houston area, prompting concerns about flooding. How’s the weather in your location? Share snapshots of your surroundings on Click2Pins and let us know what you’re experiencing. Stay safe and dry! 🌧️