Why does the jet stream appear broken up?

[Teri Mooney]

I've seen several youtube videos showing the jet stream all broken up and they're saying it's abnormal. Is it abnormal? If not, why is it broken up?

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I don't quite understand the question you are asking. What do you mean by broken up?

 

[Paul Knightley]

Perhaps you mean the 'wavenumber 6' which is going around the internet - essentially a much more wavy jet than is often seen, with 6 major longwave troughs.

The exact reasons why the jet behaves in certain ways is still not fully understood - but a stronger, less 'wavy' jets occur when there is a larger temperature contrast between the pole and the tropical regions, and more wavy jets when this is lower. There are also shorter-term influences such as tropical convection, etc, which can also affect the strength and position of the jet.

 

[Teri Mooney]

Thanks Paul. You answered my question which I didn't put forth very well.