Winds
By: Emmanuel Thomas
What is wind, and how is it made?
What is wind?
Wind is the horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure.
How is wind created?
The Wind is created where there is a difference in air pressure. The air from less dense material (warm air) moves toward the dense material (cold air) causing wind.
What are Local Winds?
Local Winds- Land breezes
Local winds are winds that blow over a short distance. The unequal heating of Earth's surface is what causes these local winds. Land and Sea breezes are two different types of Local winds. A land breeze blows from the land to the sea at night. The warm air moves toward the land while the cold air takes its place
Local Winds- Sea breezes
A sea breeze blows from the sea to the land in daytime. The warm air moves toward the sea while the cold air takes its place.
what are global winds?
Global winds
Global winds are winds that travel over a large area. Global winds are created and caused by the unequal heating of Earth's surface over a large area. From each pole, there are large convection currents that turn back to the poles at the equator. Global winds in the Northern hemisphere turn to the right while winds in the Southern hemisphere turn to the left.
Horse Latitudes
One type of Global wind is the Horse latitudes. These winds are located 30° latitude north and south. They got their name because ships in that region of the ocean were forced to throw horses offboard due to the lack of supplies. These winds blow towards the equator like the trade winds.
Trade Winds
Another type of Global wind is the Tradewinds. They are located 30° north and south of the equator. They are east to the Horse latitudes. Many countries use this wind to be able to trade faster with other countries.
Prevailing Westerlies
The Prevailing Westerlies are located between 30 and 60° latitude. These winds blow away from the Horse latitudes and the Tradewinds, towards the poles.
Polar Easterlies
The Polar Easterlies are winds that from the North and South pole. They are located at each pole, around 90° latitude.