Weather blocker: jet stream stops and causes disasters

[depakid]

An Azeri helicopter carries water before releasing it over a forest fire near the settlement of Kustarevka in Russia.
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he devastating Russian heatwave and Pakistan floods are caused by one unusual weather pattern - the static jet stream, meteorologists say. The northern hemisphere jet stream, a fast-moving high-altitude air current, circles the earth from west to east. But in the past month, a "blocking event" has brought the jet stream to a halt, keeping weather patterns stationary over certain countries.


A US helicopter takes supplies to flood victims in Kalam, Pakistan.
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Over Pakistan, the weather pattern is just staying with the monsoon, and the monsoon is bringing drenching rains," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Josh Fisher said.

"But this jet stream is also bringing dry air from eastern Africa right up into Russia and this continuous heatwave is allowing the wildfires to build." Australia is not caught up in this rare phenomenon, as the southern hemisphere has a separate jet stream based around the south pole, Mr Fisher said.

The effects of the stalled jet stream across Europe and the US have been catastrophic. In early July in the eastern states of the US and Canada, a heatwave caused numerous deaths and power cuts. In Pakistan, about 1600 people have died since floods struck in July and early August, while about 14 million are struggling to cope with the consequences of the natural disaster, the UN and Pakistani government said.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/weather-blocker--jet-stream-stops-and-causes-disasters-20100812-120th.html

[cliffordu]

1. I don't think that's supposed to happen, is it???

[Javaman]

2. Well, if it is or isn't, it most certainly is. nt

[petronius]

3. That's a poorly written article - the jet stream didn't stop, the pattern of

ridges and troughs became locked in a particular configuration for an extended period of time. A strong ridge over Europe and Russia brought clear, hot conditions to that area, and storms or moisture were deflected poleward (the 'block')...