What drives the movement of air between subtropical and polar jet streams?

The movement of air between subtropical and polar jet streams is primarily driven by steep pressure gradients. These pressure gradients arise due to temperature differences between the equator and the poles, resulting in variations in atmospheric pressure. As warm air rises and expands in the subtropics, it creates lower pressure areas, while cooler polar air leads to higher pressure. The difference in pressure between these regions forces air to flow from high to low pressure areas, ultimately creating the jet streams that assist in the transport of air and influence global weather patterns.

Temperature anomalies, humidity levels, and wind patterns can impact local weather, but they do not serve as the primary drivers for the movement of air between the subtropical and polar jets. Instead, the steep pressure gradients established by the temperature differences at these latitudes are the fundamental force behind the movement of air, making it a key factor for understanding jet stream dynamics.