Wind Patterns Flashcards
Convection Current
Gases (Air) and Liquids (Water) rise and sink in a circular path
Sea Breeze
When days are sunny, the land heats up faster than the sea. the warm air above the land rises. Cooler air from over the sea moves in to replace it. This causes a sea breeze.
Land Breeze
When the sun sets, the land cools off faster than the sea. The warm air above the sea rise. Cooler air from the land moves toward the sea to replace it. This causes a land breeze.
Coriolis Effect
The rotation of the Earth causes objects in the northern hemisphere to deflect to the right while objects in the southern hemisphere are deflected to the left.
Jet Stream
A band of very fast moving winds caused by differences in temperature. It is about 10 km above the ground. It moves West to East in the Northern Hemisphere.
Trade Winds
Winds that blow towards the equator, bring cooler air to the equator.
Doldrums
A spot near the equator where there are very few winds.
Prevailing Winds
Winds that blow away from the equator, brings warmer air to the poles.
Prevailing Westerlies
Winds that blow west to east, blow away from the equator, and found over the U.S.A.
Polar Easterlies
Winds that blow east to west and are found near the poles.
El Niño
Band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America. They cause warm climates and can cause droughts.
La Niña
Band of cold ocean temperatures that develop off the South America. They can cause more precipitation and cools down climates.
The Gulf Stream
An ocean current found in the Atlantic Ocean and brings warmer temperatures to the east coast of the U.S.A.
