1. Global Wind Currents Winds can occur on small scales in local areas, or on much larger scales globally Global winds drive steady, persistent winds across continents and oceans … They tend to always blow in the same direction… Weather systems (moist, low pressure airmasses) are pushed around by global winds in a regular, predictable pattern 2/17/2010

2. The Coriolis Effect changes the way winds appear to move… The Coriolis Effect is the way winds, or flying objects such as airplanes, appear to “curve” as they travel great distances across Earth’s surface… This happens because we are looking up from the surface of a rotating planet…the winds appear to “curve” through the air because we are moving…

4. The Coriolis Effect Influences High and Low Pressure Systems, causing the winds to spiral…

5. Global Wind Patterns on Earth

6. Global Wind Patterns had a huge effect on the way North America was colonized…

7. Summary of Global Winds… Trade Winds – These are the East to West winds that occur between the Equator and 30°N/30°S Prevailing Westerlies – These winds go from West to East between 30°N/60°N, and 30°S/60°S Doldrums – The area of Low Pressure (meaning RISING AIR, and NO WINDS) around the equator Horse Latitudes – These are areas of High Pressure (meaning SINKING AIR, and NO WINDS) around 30°N & 30°S