Wind Patterns Flashcards
Sea breeze
Warm air above the land rises and the cooler air from over the sea moves to replace it
This happens because land heats up faster than water
-high pressure over the sea
-low pressure over the land
Land breeze
The warm air above the sea rises and cooler air from the land moves toward the sea to replace it
This happens because land cools down faster that water
-low pressure over the sea
-high pressure over the land
Convection currents
Gasses and liquids rise and sink in a circular path
Coriolis Effect
The rotation of Earth that causes objects in the Northern Hemisphere to go right, and objects in the Southern Hemisphere to go left
Jet stream
A band of very fast moving wind caused by differences in temperatures
Trade winds
Winds that blow towards the equator
Doldrums
A spot near the equator with very few winds
Prevailing winds
Winds that blow away from the equator
Prevailing westerlies
Winds that blow away from the equator
Blow west to east
Polar easterlies
Winds that are found near the poles
Ocean currents
Currents that act just like air currents like the Gulf Stream, La Niña, and El Niño
Gulf Stream
An ocean current that brings warmer temperatures to the eastern coast of the U.S. it is found in the Atlantic Ocean
El Niño
Band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America (Pacific Ocean)
- can cause droughts
- warms up climate
La Niña
A band of cool ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America
- can cause more precipitation
- cools down climate
