IMPORTANCE OF LOW-LEVEL JETS TO CLIMATE - A REVIEW

Low-level jets (LLJs) occur frequently in many parts of the world. The se low-level wind speed maxima are important for both the horizontal a nd vertical fluxes of temperature and moisture and have been found to be associated with the development and evolution of deep convection. S ince deep convective activity produces a significant amount of upper-l evel cloudiness and is responsible for a large fraction of the warm se ason rainfall in the United States, the relationship between LLJs and deep convection suggests that LLJs are important contributors to regio nal climate. Results from a number of past studies are reviewed, and t he potential for data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement progr am to augment our understanding of low-level jets is discussed.