All About Winds
Global Winds and Local Winds
General info
The horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area or lower pressure is known as wind. Winds are created from differences in our air pressure and the unequal heating of earths surface.
Global Winds
Winds that blow steadily from specific directions over long distances are called Global winds. Global winds are created by unequal heating from the Earth's surface within a large area. The temperature differences between the equator and the poles create large convection currents in the atmosphere.
Jet Streams
The Jet Streams are a band of very strong winds located in the upper troposphere. They are hundreds of kilometers wide but, only a few kilometers deep. They usually blow from west to east at speeds of 200 to 400 kilometers per hour.
Dlodrums
The doldrums (another global wind) are very weak. They are located at the equator. They are known as one of the calm areas around earth.
Trade Winds
Trade winds are very strong. They are located near the equator. They blow from the horse latitudes toward the equator. The winds that blow toward the equator are turned to the west by the Coriolis effect.
Prevailing Westerlies
The prevailing westerlies lie between 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south latitude and, these winds blow from the west. Winds that blow toward the poles are turned toward the east by the Coriolis effect.
Local Winds
Winds that blow over short distances are called local winds. Local winds are created by unequal heating of the earths surface in a short area.
Sea breezes
Sea breezes are winds that blow from an ocean or a lake towards land. First the cool air rises from the ocean. Then the warmer air from land switches places with the cool air from the ocean. This process happens during the day time
Land breezes
Land breezes are winds that blow from land towards a body of water. First the warmer air from the ocean moves towards land. Then the cool air on land switches places with the warm air from the ocean. This process happens during night time.