What happens to jet streams in the winter regarding their position?

Prepare for the CPAER Canada Commercial Pilot Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with helpful hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Jet streams are fast-flowing ribbons of air located high in the atmosphere that significantly influence weather patterns. During winter, the temperature difference between the polar regions and the equator increases due to the cooling of air masses in the north, which enhances the strength of the jet streams. This increased temperature gradient causes the jet streams to shift southward.

As winter progresses, the polar jet stream, which typically flows near the latitudes where the jet stream is present in summer, will move further south. This shift allows it to cover more ground and affects the weather systems beneath it, bringing winter storms or colder air to lower latitudes. In contrast, in summer, the jet stream tends to retreat northward as the temperature gradients decrease.

The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of jet streams in winter. They do not rise significantly or dissipate completely, nor do they remain stationary; instead, they are dynamic and responsive to seasonal temperature variations.

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