Wind

Local Winds

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.  Local winds are dependent on local conditions of temperature and pressure.   The pressure differences can be explained by differences in thermal energy.  What we feel as wind is convective movement of air.

Try this: Land and Sea Breeze 

Global Winds

Global winds are the result of movement of larger masses of air again based on temperature and pressure differences.  Wind is not caused by the rotation of the Earth.  However, the rotation of the Earth does explain the curvature of global winds. 

Try this:  Wind Directions of the Earth

	Look carefully at the diagram.  Notice that the green dashed line has no curvature.  This is wnat would happen to wind if the Earth did not rotate.  The curvature related to the rotation of the Earth is called the Coriolis Effect.  Notice that the curvature in the northen and southern hemisperes is in opposite directions. Try this: Coriolis Effect
Trade winds occur in the tropics between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the equator and Tropic of Capricorn in the south.  Can you explain why the equator would be a windless area called the doldrums?	In the northern hemispere, the prevailing winds are westerlies.  In the southern hemisphere the prevailing winds are easterlies.
Polar easterlies occur at the North Pole and polar westerlies at the South Pole.	Jet stream winds are high altitude winds.
Challenge: Take the interactive quiz

Source:NASA

Interpreting  a Diagram Skills

Things you should know because you live on the planet.

Describe the movement of trade winds in the northern hemisphere.

Describe the movement of polar easterlies in the northern hemisphere.

Describe the movement of air at the equator.

Why are winds between 30 degrees N and 60 degrees N latitude called Westerlies?

Challenge: Take an interactive quiz

Global Winds I      Global Winds II

Think about this:

Why is high pressure associated with tropical regions and low pressure associated with polar regions?

Observe the movement of a major dust cloud that began in Asia. Explain the movement.

                                Source: NASA

Return to Weather and Climate

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