Topic: Global Winds PSSA: C / S8.D.2.1

Objective: TLW identify the basic characteristics of each of the major global wind belts and their effect on global weather patterns. TLW identify the basic characteristics of each of the major global wind belts and their effect on global weather patterns.

MI #1: Polar Easterlies This wind belt extends from the poles to 60 degrees north and south latitude. This wind belt extends from the poles to 60 degrees north and south latitude. Cold sinking air moves from the poles and carries cold arctic air over the USA and Canada. Cold sinking air moves from the poles and carries cold arctic air over the USA and Canada.

MI #2: Prevailing Westerlies These winds are found between 30 and 60 degrees north and south latitude. These winds are found between 30 and 60 degrees north and south latitude. They tend to carry moist air from the Pacific Ocean over the USA, causing rain and snow. They tend to carry moist air from the Pacific Ocean over the USA, causing rain and snow.

MI #3: Trade Winds Trade Winds blow from 30 degrees north and south latitude to the equator. Trade Winds blow from 30 degrees north and south latitude to the equator. Early traders used these winds to sail from Europe to the Americas, resulting in the name trade winds. Early traders used these winds to sail from Europe to the Americas, resulting in the name trade winds.

MI #4: The Doldrums The area around the equator where the trade winds meet is called the doldrums. The area around the equator where the trade winds meet is called the doldrums. There is very little wind movement there because the rising warm air creates low pressure. There is very little wind movement there because the rising warm air creates low pressure.

MI #5: Horse Latitudes The horse latitudes are areas of sinking high pressure at 30 degrees north and south latitude, which creates weak winds. The horse latitudes are areas of sinking high pressure at 30 degrees north and south latitude, which creates weak winds. They are called the horse latitudes because in sailing days, horses were sometimes thrown overboard to save water for the sailors when they were caught in these regions. They are called the horse latitudes because in sailing days, horses were sometimes thrown overboard to save water for the sailors when they were caught in these regions.

MI #6: Jet Streams Jet Streams are narrow belts of high speed (400 km/h) wind that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Jet Streams are narrow belts of high speed (400 km/h) wind that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. They do not follow a regular path around the Earth and are important because they can affect the movement of storms and air masses. They do not follow a regular path around the Earth and are important because they can affect the movement of storms and air masses.

So What…? Real Life Application Global winds are important because they cause air masses and weather systems to move over large areas. The type of weather they bring to a region helps determine its climate. Global winds are important because they cause air masses and weather systems to move over large areas. The type of weather they bring to a region helps determine its climate.