APES 4.5 Global Wind Patterns

• The Earth’s atmosphere is held down by gravity
• As the Earth rotates, the air circulates
• The heating and cooling changes the density of the air as it moves, due to convection

The Coriolis Effect

• Along with heat, rotation of the Earth deflects the wind as well

Predictability

• The exchange of heat and Coriolis effect leads to patterns that are generally regular
• Ecosystems around the globe result from these exchanges of heat and rotation