In the Northern Hemisphere,the polar jet stream is strongest when
A)air north of the polar front is much colder than air south of the polar front.
B)air north of the polar front is much warmer than air south of the polar front.
C)air temperatures on opposite sides of the polar front are about equal.
D)air temperatures on the East Coast of the US are much colder than on the West Coast of the U.S.
E)it forms during the summer months.

Question

In the Northern Hemisphere,the polar jet stream is strongest when
A)air north of the polar front is much colder than air south of the polar front.
B)air north of the polar front is much warmer than air south of the polar front.
C)​air temperatures on opposite sides of the polar front are about equal.
D)​air temperatures on the East Coast of the US are much colder than on the West Coast of the U.S.
E)​it forms during the summer months.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The polar jet stream is primarily driven by the temperature contrast between the cold, dense air near the poles and the warmer, less dense air near the equator. When the temperature difference across the polar front is greater (i.e. there is a larger temperature gradient), the jet stream is stronger. Therefore, when the air north of the polar front is much colder than air south of the polar front, the temperature gradient is large and the polar jet stream is strongest.

In the Northern Hemisphere,the Polar Jet Stream Is Strongest When