The jet stream acts as an air current that directs weather across medium world latitudes. Some scientists attribute the increased amounts of jet stream waves, which lead to difficult weather situations, to the warming of the Arctic region. But it is debatable.
What Is Blocking?
Jet stream waves create blocking weather patterns that cause hot or cold episodes. Blocking was responsible for the famous heat of Britain in 1976, as well as the heat waves faced by Europe in 2003 and Siberia in 2013.
What Is the Theory?
Arctic amplification, or greater warming of high latitudes, lowers the temperature difference responsible for forming the jet. It was suggested by Jennifer Francis and Stephen Vavrus and is currently called the most debatable part of the theory.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Recent research demonstrated that there were more patterns of blocking related to the warming of the Arctic but not proved that one caused the other. Research that was done in 2026 demonstrated that warming increased jet meandering and storm activity in models.
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