Winds and Ocean Currents

Flashcards about winds and ocean currents

What is wind?

Moving air in the atmosphere's lower layer.

Why do winds form?

Because the sun heats different parts of Earth unequally, leading to pressure differences.

How does air pressure relate to wind formation?

Air moves from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, creating wind.

How are winds named?

After the direction from which they blow.

What is the Coriolis effect?

The deflection of winds to their right in the northern hemisphere and to their left in the southern hemisphere.

What is the prevailing wind?

The wind that is most frequent in an area.

What direction do warm winds blow from?

From the equator towards the poles.

What direction do cold winds blow from?

From the poles towards the equator.

What two factors combine to create global wind patterns?

Unequal heating of the atmosphere and the Coriolis effect.

What are Trade Winds?

Movements of air towards the equator: From the north-east in the northern hemisphere and from the south-east in the southern hemisphere.

What are Westerlies?

Movements of air from about latitude 30° towards latitude 60°. They are deflected by the Coriolis effect.

What are Polar Easterlies?

Movements of air outwards from the high pressure areas at the poles. The winds are dry and very cold.

What are Ocean Currents?

The water of the ocean surface moves in regular patterns called surface ocean currents. These currents are like giant rivers that flow slowly through the oceans.

What are the causes of the movement of ocean currents?

Unequal heating of the oceans, The prevailing winds and the rotation of Earth.

What is the Gulf Stream?

A warm current that begins in the Gulf of Mexico, becomes the North Atlantic Drift, and flows past Western Europe.

How does the North Atlantic Drift influence Ireland?

Raising the temperature of coastal waters and transferring heat to the air, leading to warmer temperatures and more rainfall.