What is the average height of a jet stream?

The average height of a jet stream typically ranges around 30,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level). Jet streams are high-altitude, fast-moving air currents that primarily exists in the upper troposphere, influencing weather patterns across the globe. At this level, the jet stream plays a crucial role in steering weather systems and can impact the formation of cyclones and anticyclones.

Their position can shift with the seasons, sometimes rising higher, but the 30,000 feet mark represents a common altitude where jet streams are observed, particularly during the winter months when they tend to be stronger and closer to the ground due to temperature contrasts between polar and tropical air masses. This altitude is significant for aviation as well, where pilots often use jet streams to optimize flight paths and reduce fuel consumption.