Global and

Local Winds
i
What causes wind?
Caused by a difference
in air pressure due to
unequal heating of the
atmosphere.
by.
Heating the air, decreases
pressure (warm
air rises creating a low pressure)
Cool air rushes into replace the
warm air
(cooler dense air, produces high
pressure)
As air goes from high to low
pressure,
winds form.
 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
There are 2 types of
winds
1. Local Winds
2. Global Winds
 Global Winds

Dont travel North and South because of the

Earth rotating on its axis.
4 Types of Global Winds
Doldrums
Trade Winds
Prevailing Westerlies
Polar Easterlies
Visual of Global Winds
 Doldrums
These are located at the equator, surface winds
are calm and weak.

Why are they called doldrums?

Sailors found that there were no winds near the equator for a
period of time. The ships were essentially stuck in one place, not
being able to move forward. These calm periods were called
doldrums.

Today, to be stuck in the doldrums means that youd like to be

doing something, but youre stuck waiting for something to happen
so you can begin moving forward.
 Trade Winds
Named from their ability to quickly propel
trading ships across the ocean
- found between about 30 latitude and the
equator
- steady and blow about 11 to 13 mph
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds
blow from the northeast and are known as
the Northeast Trade Winds
- In the Southern Hemisphere, the winds blow
from the southeast and are called the
Southeast Trade Winds.
 Prevailing
Westerlies
Strong winds
Located in the belt from 30-60 degrees
latitude in both hemispheres.
Has an impact on the US weather
 Polar Easterlies
Cold, but weak winds
Near the north and south poles
US weather is influenced by these
Cooling takes place between the 50-60
degree latitude as it approaches the poles
 Jet Stream
Discovered in 1940s
Can be found in the upper troposphere
Strong high speed and high pressure
Moves west to east across the US, moving
storms
 What brings certain weather
phenomenon?
El Nino La Nina
occurs when the surface occurs when the surface
temperature rises above temperature falls below
the normal water the normal water
temperature in the temperature in the
Equatorial Pacific Ocean Equatorial Pacific Ocean
creating more humidity in creating a more dry
the atmosphere atmosphere
Known to increase number Known to create drought
of hurricanes conditions
Occur more frequently
(every 3-7 years)
 Local Winds
Cover short distances
Blow from any direction

2 Types of Local Winds

Sea Breezes- from sea to land
Land Breezes from land to sea
Whats the difference?
How do sea and land breezes
work?