Wind Patterns Flashcards
Convection Current
Gasses or liquids 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
Jet stream
A band of very fast moving wind caused by differences in temperature. It is about 10 km above the ground and moves west to east in the Northern Hemisphere
Trade winds
Winds that blow towards the equator and brings cooler air to the equator
Doldrums
A spot near the equator where there are very few winds
Land Breeze
A breeze blowing toward the sea from the land, especially at night, because of the warmth of the ocean
Coriolis effect
The rotation of Earth causes objects in the Northern Hemisphere to deflect right while objects in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected left
Prevailing Winds
Winds that blow away from the equator. It brings warmer air to the poles
Prevailing westerlies
Winds that blow away from the equator. They blow west to east. They are found over the U.S.
Polar westerlies
Winds that are found near the poles and blow east to west
Gulf Stream
An ocean current that brings warmer temperatures to the eastern coast of the U.S. and found in the Atlantic Ocean
La Niña
Band of cold ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America. It can cause more precipitation and it cools down climates.
El Niño
A band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America. It can cause droughts and it warms up climates.
