Winds Trimester 2

What is wind? A wind is the horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure.

Winds are caused by differences in air pressure.

How can we measure wind? We can measure wind using different instruments! Wind vane: Tells us the direction of the wind. Anemometer: Tells us the speed of the wind.

Wind Vane vs. Anemometer

What are local winds? Local winds are caused by the unequal heating of Earth’s surface within a small area.

Sea breeze vs. Land breeze A sea breeze is a local wind that blows from an ocean or lake. Ocean Land A land breeze is the flow of air from land to a body of water. Land Ocean

Sea breeze vs. Land breeze

The Coriolis Effect is the curving of wind from the Earth’s rotation! What are global winds? Global winds are created by the unequal heating of Earth’s surface over a large area. The Coriolis Effect is the curving of wind from the Earth’s rotation!

The Coriolis Effect!

Polar Easterlies Trade Winds Prevailing Westerlies Wind Belt Direction From the Northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and southeast in the Southern Hemisphere Prevailing Westerlies From the Southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and from the Northwest in the Southern Hemisphere Polar Easterlies Away from the poles