Wind Patterns Flashcards
Convection current
Gases and liquids rise and sink in a circular path
Sea breeze
When land heats up faster than the water (day Breeze)
Land breeze
When the land cools off faster than the water (night 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 wind caused by differences in temperature.
Trade winds
Winds that blow towards the equator. Brings cooler air to the equator
Doldrums
A spot near the equator where there are very few winds
Polar easterlies
Winds that are found near the poles. Moves EAST to WEST
Prevailing winds
Winds that blow away from the equator. Brings warmer air to the poles
Prevailing westerlies
Winds that blow away from the equator. Blows WEST to EAST. Found over the U.S.
Gulf Stream
An ocean current found in Atlantic. Brings warmer temperatures to the east coast of the U.S.
El Niño
Band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America. (Can cause droughts and warms up climates)
