Weather Patterns Flashcards
Convection Currents
When warm air rises and cold air falls to replace it.
Sea Breeze
The sun warms the land and the air above it more quickly than the water along the shore.
Land Breeze
At night the land and air above it cool quickly making the water temperature warmer than land.
Coriolis Effect
The rotation of the Earth causes objects in the northern hemisphere to deflect to the right while objects in the southern hemisphere
Jet Stream
A band of very fast moving wind caused by differences in temperature. About 10 km above the ground. Northern Hemisphere wind blows west-east Southern Hemisphere wind blows east-west. The polar jet stream mostly effects the U.S(cold air from Canada.
Trade Winds
Winds blow towards the equator. Brings cold air to the tropics. Affects the moisture in storms. Sailors used to sail west.
Doldrums
Near the equator with very few winds. ‘’ Traps ships”
Prevailing Winds
Twins blows away from the equator. Warm air from the tropics to the poles.
Prevailing Westerlies
Blows west to east. Found over the U.S. Blows away form the equator.
Polar Easterlies
Winds found near the poles. Blow east to west.
Gulf Stream
Brings warm water to the poles. Found on east coast of the U.S.
El Nino
A band of warm ocean temperature that develops off the coast of South America. Can cause droughts and warm up climates.
La Nina
A band of cold ocean temperature that develops off the coast of South America. Can cause precipitation and cools down climates.
