JetStream - An Online School for Weather

On July 8, 2016, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of airborne dust off the coast of Chile.

It is unusual to see such large dust events emerge from the west coast of South America, according to atmospheric scientists, because winds there are not conducive to developing major dust storms like those more typically seen in North Africa or in Asia.

The local topography hinders the formation of dust storms, as the Andes Mountains run along South America's western flank and block winds arising in the east. The mountain range stretches more than 4,400 miles (7,000 kilometers) from north to south and stands more than 300 miles (500 kilometers) wide in some areas. Enlarge image (~2 mb)

Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Rapid Response Team, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Welcome to JetStream, the National Weather Service Online Weather School. This site is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather and weather safety.

The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject; beginning with global and large scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones and flooding. Interspersed in JetStream are "Learning Lessons" which can be used to enhance the educational experience.

You are free to use the materials in any manner you wish. We welcome your feedback on this project. Your input will greatly assist others in teaching the "hows" and "whys" of weather. Not sure where to begin? Click to see all topics in JetStream in the Topic Matrix.

About JetStream

The National Weather Service understands the critical value of fast, accurate weather information. We know that information is power - the power to save your life or the lives of your loved ones. Over the last ten years... about JetStream