Winds
By: Sophie Wood
Winds: General Information
Definition of Wind: Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
Cause of Wind: Winds are caused by differences in air pressure.
Local Winds
Local Winds Definition: Local Winds are winds that blow over a short distance.
- Local Winds are created by unequal heating of Earth's surface, in a small area.
- Sea Breezes (type of local wind): Sea breezes is a breeze that goes from a body of water to land. Sea breezes happen during the daytime.
- Land breezes (Also a type of local winds): Land breezes is a breeze that blows from land to a body of water. A land breeze happens in the evening/night.
Global Winds Definition: Global Winds are are winds that blow steadily over long distances. They blow from the same direction every time.
- Temperature differences between the equator produce huge convection currents in the atmosphere. At the equator the warm air rises and the cold air sinks at the poles. So, the pressure is lower near the equator and higher near the poles. This difference in pressure causes the wind at the Earth's surface to blow from the poles towards the equator. Higher in the atmosphere air blows away from the equator and towards the poles. These air movements make global winds.
Doldrums
Doldrums are winds at the equator ( 0 degrees latitude) and they are very weak.