Weather and Climate Ch.1-3 Flashcards

Wind and Air Movement

• Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air pressure.
• Winds are influenced by the unequal heating of the Earth's surface, creating pressure differences.

Coriolis Effect

• The Coriolis effect results in the apparent curving of a moving object's path due to Earth's rotation.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes winds to curve to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, winds curve to the left.

Types of Prevailing Winds

• Polar Easterlies: Winds blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
• Westerlies: Prevailing winds from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude.
• Trade Winds: Blow northeast from 30 degrees north to the equator and southeast from 30 degrees south to the equator.

Jet Stream

• A jet stream is a narrow belt of strong winds located in the upper troposphere, influencing weather patterns.

Air Density and Movement

• Warm air rises because it is less dense, while cold air sinks as it is denser.

Pressure Belts

• Pressure belts are bands of high and low pressure found about every 30 degrees of latitude, affecting wind patterns.

Breeze Formation

• Sea and land breezes, as well as mountain and valley breezes, result from pressure differences due to unequal heating of surfaces.

Impact of Temperature Uniformity

• If the Earth's surface temperature were uniform, there would likely be no winds, as winds require temperature gradients to form.

Direction of Wind Flow

• In the Northern Hemisphere, westerlies travel in a northerly direction and are deflected northeast, while trade winds travel southerly and are deflected southwest due to the Coriolis effect.

Locating the Ocean with Local Winds

• During the daytime, a sea breeze occurs due to cooler air over water moving toward land; following the direction of the sea breeze can help reach the ocean.