Wacky Winds
Learn about the different types of winds
Wind
What is Wind?
Wind is the horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. The name of wind comes from the direction it is coming from, for example wind blowing from the west is called a west wind. You measure wind speed with an anemometer. You can tell wind direction by looking at a wind vane.
What Causes Wind
Wind is caused by the differences in air pressure. Which is caused by the differences the Sun heats places. The increased cooling a wind can cause is called a windchill.
Local Winds
What is a Local Wind?
Local winds are winds that blow over a short distance. One example is a cool breeze blowing from the water over a beach. Local winds include sea breezes and land breezes. Local winds are also very weak and not very strong.
How are local Winds Created
Local winds are caused by unequal heating of Earths surface with in a small area. Unequal heating normally occurs near lake and ocean coasts. The small area is normally on a beach and on the coast line.
What are Sea Breezes?
A sea breeze is a local wind, that is a breeze that forms over a body of water. A sea breeze usually occurs in the daytime. The cool air from the sea breeze flows horizontally. A sea breeze is a local wind.
What is a Land breeze?
A land breeze is also a local wind that flows from the land, over a body of water. Land breezes occur at night. The warm air rises from the land. A land breeze is also a local wind.
Global Winds
What is a Global Wind?
A wind that blows evenly over long distances. A global wind blows from the same direction, every time. When the Earth rotates the Coriolis effect makes the wind in the Northern Hemisphere turn right. The Coriolis effect makes the wind in the Southern Hemisphere turn towards left
How are Global Winds created
Global winds are also created by unequal heating of Earths surface, but occurs over a large area. The Coriolis Effect and pressure belts cause global winds. The big convention current contains the prevailing westerlies, polar easterlies, trade winds, and doldrums
What are Doldrums?
The doldrums are found on the equator. Doldrums have no winds and it is very calm. Winds don't blow there because warm air rises causing an area of low air pressure. Doldrums can be found in countries along the equator such as Brazil, Kenya, Ecuador, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.
What are Trade Winds?
Trade Winds are one of the major global wind belts. Trade Winds Blow from 30 degrees latitude almost to the equator. Latitude is the distance from the equator. Trade winds only blow in the Northern Hemisphere. They are called trade winds because it is common for sailors to sail in the trade wind areas, including Mexico.
What are Prevailing Westerlies?
Prevailing Westerlies are is another one of the major global wind belts. They can be found between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. They flow toward the poles from west to east. Since the blow from the west they are called prevailing westerlies. They carry moist air across the United States of America. Prevailing Westerlies can be found in Connecticut.
What are Polar Easterlies?
Polar Easterlies are the last of the major global belts. Polar Easterlies extend from the north and south pole to 60 degrees latitude. Polar Easterlies are called Polar Easterlies because they blow from the poles and curve towards the east. They are formed by cool air making temperature cold.