4.5 Global Wind Patterns

Warm air

Rises and holds more moisture than cold air.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of objects in the atmosphere due to Earth's spin.

30° Air Movement

Moves back to low pressure at the equator.

Winds between 0°-30°

Move from East to West due to Earth's spin.

Winds between 30°-60°

Move from 30° to 60°, with faster spin at 30° than at 60°.

Global Wind Patterns

Air moves from 30° to 0° and 60° due to high pressure at 30° and low pressure at 0° and 60°.

Low Pressure

Occurs where rising air at the equator creates low pressure.

High Pressure

Occurs where sinking air at 30° is high pressure.

Eastern Trade Winds

Winds at 0° - 30° that blow E→W, influencing ocean currents.

Westerlies

Winds at 30° - 60° that blow W→E, driving weather patterns in North America.

Which direction does air move?

From high pressure to low pressure

If Earth was stationary, which direction would air flow?

North and south

What direction does wind generally flow between 0 degrees and 30 degrees?

Westward (E → W)

What is the direction of the ocean currents in the northern Atlantic Ocean

Clockwise