Wind
Local and Global
Winds
Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Wind is also air that moves parallel to the ground. Uneven heating of the Earth's surface is the true way that winds are created. You can measure wind speed with an anemometer, which has four cups that spin in a circle to calculate wind speed.
Local Winds
Local winds are winds that move across a small area and change direction and speed very often. They are made when there is unequal heating of Earth's surface.Local winds are made when Two types of local winds are sea winds and land winds (see photos below).
Land Breeze
A land breeze comes from the land instead. They go towards the closest body of water. It happens at night.
Sea Breeze
Sea winds or breezes come from a body of water that is nearby. They then move towards the land. These mostly happen in the day.
Doldrums
Doldrums are winds that stay right at the equator (at o degrees). These winds are very weak. They are very calm like horse latitudes.
Global Winds
Global winds cover the entire Earth. The Coriolis effect causes global winds to curve. Winds that are in the Northern Hemisphere turn right. If they are in the Southern Hemisphere they turn to the left.Temperature differences between the equator and the the poles produce these convection currents that are all around the globe. Warm air rises at the equator and descends near the poles. This is why most places near the equator are warmer than places farther away.
The Prevailing Westerlies
This wind comes from the west and travels toward the east. They lie between 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south latitude.
Jet Streams
These winds are very strong and lie at the top of the troposphere. This is also where airplanes fly. The jet streams are at around 10 kilometers above Earth's surface.
Trade Winds
The trade winds are between 0 degrees and 30 degrees latitude and are very strong. Sailors use these winds to get around to sell and trade, while saving fuel.