"Record-Breaking Jet Stream Propels Passenger Planes to 800+ mph Speeds"
Near-record winds of 265 mph at 35,000 feet over the Mid-Atlantic allowed commercial flights to reach speeds over 800 mph, with one flight from Washington to London landing 45 minutes ahead of schedule. The high winds were caused by a powerful jet stream resulting from the contrast between cold air over the Northeast and warm air over the Southeast. The fast high-altitude flow also contributed to less snowfall than predicted in Washington.