Extreme weather conditions linked to air flow changes

A new study has revealed that regional weather extremes, like drought, heat waves and cold spells is linked to air flow.

According to the study, variations in high-altitude wind patterns expose particular parts of Europe, Asia and the US to different extreme weather conditions.

According to the researchers, the high altitude winds normally blow from west to east around the planet, but do not follow a straight path and the flow meanders to the north and south, in a wave-like path.

The scientists said that the changes to air flow patterns around the Northern Hemisphere are a major influence on prolonged bouts of unseasonal weather - whether it be hot, cold, wet or dry.

These wave patterns are responsible for sucking either warm air from the tropics, or cold air from the Arctic, to Europe, Asia, or the US and they can also influence rainfall by steering rain-laden storms.

The study carried out by the University of Exeter and the University of Melbourne, showed that larger waves can lead to droughts in central North America, Europe and central Asia, and western Asia exposed to prolonged wet spells and western North America and central Asia are more prone to heat waves, while eastern North America is more likely to experience prolonged outbreaks of cold.