Although they can vary greatly, the jet stream winds are predominantly ____________ in the Northern Hemisphere:

The jet stream winds in the Northern Hemisphere are predominantly westerly due to the rotation of the Earth and the general circulation patterns of the atmosphere. The Coriolis effect, which is a result of the Earth's rotation, causes moving air to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. This deflection, combined with the temperature differences between the equator and the poles, results in the formation of the jet stream that flows from west to east.

Jet streams are high-altitude, fast-moving air currents that typically form at the boundaries between different air masses, especially between warm tropical air and cold polar air. These winds can greatly influence weather patterns, including the movement of storms and changes in temperature. The predominance of westerly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere is a key factor that sailors, pilots, and those engaged in snow sports need to consider when planning routes and anticipating weather conditions.