Winds

A wind is the horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. All winds are caused by differences in air pressure.

anemometer – measures wind speed wind-chill factor – the increased cooling that a wind can cause

local winds – winds that blow over short distances Local winds are caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface within a small area. sea breeze – a wind that blows from an ocean or lake onto land land breeze – the flow of air from land to a body of water

Monsoons monsoons – sea and land breezes over a large region that change direction with the seasons

Angle of the Sun’s Rays Energy from the sun strikes Earth most directly near the equator. Near the poles, the same amount of energy is spread out over a larger area.

Global Winds global winds – winds that blow steadily from specific directions over long distances The movement of air between the equator and the poles produces global winds. Coriolis Effect – the way Earth’s rotation makes winds curve

Coriolis Effect As Earth rotates, the Coriolis effect turns winds in the Northern Hemisphere toward the right.

Global Wind Belts The major global wind belts are: the trade winds the prevailing westerlies the polar easterlies latitude – the distance from the equator measured in degrees

Global Wind Belts A series of wind belts circles Earth. Between the wind belts are calm areas where air is rising or falling.

Jet Streams The jet streams are high-speed bands of winds occurring at the top of the troposphere.

Prevailing westerlies Graphic Organizer include two types three types Earth’s winds Local winds Trade winds Global winds Prevailing westerlies Polar easterlies Sea breeze Land breeze

Wind Power Wind Power has been used for centuries for such things as sailing ships, pumping water, and generating electricity. Modern windmills and wind turbines are two basic designs that produce energy. Wind farms – large numbers of turbines clustered together