What is the Jet Stream?
Provided by: NOAA|Published on: September 29, 2025
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: NOAA, SciJinks
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this article and video from NOAA, students will understand the causes of jet streams, how they influence weather and travel, and how meteorologists use them to predict weather.
- This resource also includes a poster summarizing this information.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The combination of the video and article helps make the content more accessible for a wider variety of students.
- The included visuals throughout the reading not only provide additional context but also break up the text, making the reading less overwhelming for students with low reading stamina.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand the rotation of the Earth and the heating from the sun.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students can demonstrate their understanding by explaining in their own words how jet streams impact weather and travel.
- The downloadable poster can be hung in the classroom or used in interactive notebooks.
- Teachers can use this resource to help students make connections between El Niño, jet streams, and climate change.
- Teachers can explain the connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by having students consider how understanding weather patterns and how to predict them can contribute to the well-being of people, thus relating to SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being.
This resource clearly explains the atmospheric science of the Earth’s four jet streams. Video and text both include numerous images from satellites, such as GOES-R, and all images are well-cited. All of the atmospheric science presented is highly credible. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
