Transcript Global winds

Global winds
Winds that blow steadily from specific
directions over long distances
Created by unequal
heating of earth’s
surface
Example of
sun’s rays
with a
flashlight
Global convection
currents
Movement of
air between
the equator
and the poles
produce
global winds
Coriolis effect
makes winds curve
Main Global wind
belts
Trade Winds
Trade winds
•Blow from the horse
latitudes (30oN & S)
toward the equator
Sailors relied on trade
winds to carry cargoes
from Europe to the
West Indies and South
America
Prevailing
Westerlies
•Blow from the west
to the east (name
comes from where
winds blow FROM)
Play an important
part in the weather
of the United
States
Polar
easterlies
•Cold air from the poles sinks and flows back toward
lower latitudes
The Coriolis Effect shifts these winds to the west,
so they are called EASTERLIES.
Has a major effect on the weather of the United
States
Doldrums
Regions near the equator with little or no wind
where warm air rises
Horse
latitudes
•Calm areas of falling
air
30* N & S
Called horse latitudes
because sailors ran
out of food and water
for their horses here
and had to throw
them overboard
Jet Streams
•About 10 km above
Earth’s surface
Blow from west to
east at 200400km/h
Planes flying east can
save time and fuel by
flying in the jet
stream