Wind Patterns Flashcards
Convection currents
Gases (air) and liquid (water) rises and sinks 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 rises. Cooler air from the land moves towards 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 rite while objects in the southern hemisphere re deflected to the left.
Jet Stream
- A band of very fast moving wind caused by differences in temperature. * About 10KM above the ground. * Moves west to east in northern hemisphere.
Trade Winds
Bring cooler air to the equator. Winds that blow towards 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 away from the equator. Blow WEST to EAST. Found over the United States
Polar Easterlies
Winds that are found near the poles. Winds that move EAST to WEST
El Nino
Band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America. ( can cause droughts, warms up climate).
La Nina
Band of cold temperatures that develop off the coast of South America.
Gulf Stream
An ocean current that brings warmer water to the west coast of England, and to the east coast of the U.S.
