What is the Sting Jet?

Low pressure areas:

• Have well understood causes.
• Sometimes produce very strong winds.
• Are generally well represented by our weather forecast models.

Experience has shown that:

• The most damaging winds occur in a very small region, perhaps only 50 km across.
• This is close to the 'tail' of the 'head' of cloud that wraps around the low pressure centre.
• Hence the 'sting in the tail' of the cyclone.

We now know that:

• The 'sting in the tail' is produced by a distinct jet of air- the Sting Jet.
• It starts out three or four kilometres above the ground and descends over three or four hours.
• Snow and rain falling into it evaporate and cool it as it descends, helping to accelerate it to high speeds.
• It can accelerate to more than 100 mph.

You can find out much more detail in our  Sting Jet Explainer (PDF, 1 MB) .