Global Winds Summary

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Global Winds Summary Moist air rises from the equator. It cools due to expansion and loses its moisture as rain. When it reaches the tropopause the dry air spreads north and south, cools and sinks at about 25 to 30 latitude. As the air descends it warms due to compression creating the dry desert regions of the world.

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Global Winds Summary. Tropopause. Sahara. Kalahari. Equator. 0. 0. 30. 30. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Global Winds Summary

Page 1: Global Winds Summary

Global Winds Summary

Moist air rises from the equator. It cools due to expansion and loses its moisture as rain. When it reaches the tropopause the dry air spreads north and south, cools and sinks at about 25 to 30 latitude. As the air descends it warms due to compression creating the dry desert regions of the world.

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Global WindsThe Trade Winds After descending at 30 latitude, air moves back toward the Equator along the surface; however, due to the Coriolis Effect the winds are curved to the east.

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Global Winds

The 1492 route of Columbus

The 1492 Voyage of Columbus In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed on the Trade winds to reach the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola.

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Global WindsThe Prevailing Westerlies The major air flow over the USA is from the south west. These winds are called the Prevailing Westerlies. Were it not for invasions of cold air from the polar front and complications as air passes over the Rocky Mountains, weather in the USA would be stable because of the Westerlies.

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Global Winds

How the Westerlies Form Air descends at 30 North. Some of this air heads northward and is deflected to the right by the Coriolis Effect. These surface winds form the Prevailing Westerlies.

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Global Winds

The Polar Easterlies The Polar Easterlies bring cold air south from the poles.

The Polar Easterlies collide with the Prevailing Westerlies at 60 North. Air rises at 60 North forming the polar front low.

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Global Winds

At the Polar Front, warm moist air from the south pushes over heavier cold air. Bad weather results.