1. Global Winds

2. What are they?
These are winds that are affected by the unequal heating of the earth’s surface.
Caused by regions of high pressure and lower pressure that form.
Differences in pressure and temperature set up a large system of winds around the globe.

3. Global Wind Systems: Doldrums Located at the equator
Very warm air keeps the pressure very low
Winds are weak if any arise

4. Global Wind Systems: Trade Winds
Located between 0° - 30° North and South Latitude
Air from the equator cools and sinks
Air moves toward the equator
Produces warm steady winds

5. Global Wind Systems: Trade Winds (continued)
Northern Hemisphere: Northeast Trades
Southern Hemisphere: Southeast Trades
30° North or South = Horse Latitudes

6. Global Wind Systems: Prevailing Westerlies
Located between 40° - 60° in both hemispheres
Air from the equator moves toward the poles
It’s deflected east in both hemispheres
These winds are strong and constant

7. Global Wind Systems: Polar Easterlies
Located between 60° - 90° in both hemispheres
Cold air from the poles flows toward the equator
Winds are deflected west
Cold, weak winds

8. Jet Streams High speed winds Located at ~12km in altitude
They can move north or south depending on other weather factors
Have a great impact on the daily weather.

9. Global winds and the Coriolis Effect
Global winds are affected by the Coriolis Effect
There is a shift in the winds due to the rotation of the earth.
Northern Hemisphere winds are shifted right
Southern Hemisphere winds are shifted left.