The strong jet stream that will deliver strong winds to Ireland over the next two weeks is developing due to a steep temperature gradient between an Arctic air mass moving deep into the northeastern US States and warm subtropical air mass originating from the Caribbean.
A strong stratospheric polar vortex is also helping to enhance the jet stream.
The video below shows some early morning snowfall scenes from upstate New York, including Rochester, Buffalo, Oswego, Uhica, Niagara Falls, Fairport and Sackets Harbor.
The jet stream is a relatively narrow band of strong wind travelling west to east in the upper levels of the atmosphere, typically occurring at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
The band often shifts north and south because jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air and, ultimately, act like a conveyer belt for Atlantic depressions.
The energy generated by the steep temperature gradient mentioned above is illustrated in the forecast jet stream position and strength for the next week.
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