Jet Stream Pattern Locks in Extreme Winter Cold and Wet Spells: Study Reveals

A new study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society suggests that shifts in the global jet stream are causing prolonged spells of extreme winter cold or wet conditions in North America and Europe. These patterns, known as wave-4 patterns, have doubled in frequency since the 1960s and often synchronize across the two continents, leading to significant disruptions. While winters are getting milder on average, the study highlights the increasing risk of extreme cold and wet weather events, which have already caused fatalities and paralyzed energy and transport systems. The exact mechanisms behind these patterns require further research, but scientists suspect a connection to changing oceanic conditions triggering a global chain reaction.