Global and Local Winds i Kinsey 2017-18

What causes wind? WIND is caused by the unequal heating of the Earth. Warm air – low pressure/less dense/rises Cold air – high pressure/more dense/sinks

Coriolis Effect Coriolis Effect – Rotation of the Earth causes moving air and water to change directions Northern Hemisphere winds curve to the right Southern Hemisphere winds curve to the left. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPs_OdQOYU

Global Winds • 3 Major Types of Global Winds – Trade Winds 30 – 30, east to west toward equator – Prevailing Westerlies 30 – 60, west to east, toward poles – Polar Easterlies – poles, east to west, toward equator

Doldrums These are located at the equator at the middle of the Trade Winds, surface winds are calm and weak.

Horse Latitudes The HORSE LATITUDES are at about 30° north and 30 ° south latitude. Sinking air creates an area of high pressure, creating weak winds

Jet Stream Location: upper troposphere & lower stratosphere Strong high speed and high pressure that can reach speeds of 400km/h Affect the movement of storms & planes

What brings certain weather phenomenon? El Nino La Nina Abnormally high water temperature in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean creating more humidity in the atmosphere Increase number of hurricanes Occur more frequently (every 3-7 years) Abnormally low temperature in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean creating a more dry atmosphere Creates drought conditions

Sea Breeze sea to the land (During the day) Air over water is cooler (high pressure) Cool, dense air moves toward land, creating a sea breeze. Air over land is warmer, so the warm air rises, creating low pressure over land.

Land Breezes Location: land to the sea (During the night) Air over land is cooler (high pressure) Cool air moves toward the sea, creating a land breeze. Air over the sea is warmer, so it rises creating low pressure.