Wave Number-5 (IMAGE)

National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Wave Number-5

Caption

The high- and low-pressure regions of wavenumber-5 set up in different locations during January 2014, when California was enduring a drought, and January 2017, when it was facing floods. The location of the high and low pressure regions (characterized by anticylonic vs. cyclonic upper-level air flow) can act to either suppress or enhance precipitation and storms. The black curves illustrate the jet streams that trap and focus wavenumber-5.

Credit

Image by Haiyan Teng and Grant Branstator.

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