Polar easterlies

Definition

Polar easterlies are cold, dry winds that originate from the polar regions and blow from east to west. These winds are part of the Earth's atmospheric circulation and play a crucial role in influencing weather patterns and climate at high latitudes, contributing to the overall global wind system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polar easterlies form as cold air sinks at the poles and moves toward lower latitudes, typically around 60 degrees north and south.
2. These winds are generally more prevalent during winter months when temperature contrasts between polar regions and lower latitudes are greater.
3. The polar easterlies are influenced by the Coriolis effect, which causes them to curve as they travel over the Earth's surface.
4. In addition to affecting local weather conditions, polar easterlies contribute to the formation of high-pressure systems over polar regions.
5. Understanding polar easterlies is essential for predicting climate phenomena like polar vortex events, which can lead to extreme weather in mid-latitude regions.

Review Questions

• How do polar easterlies interact with other wind systems in the atmosphere?
  • Polar easterlies interact with other wind systems through their influence on pressure gradients and circulation patterns. They contribute to the formation of high-pressure systems at polar regions, which can affect lower latitude wind patterns, including those in the Ferrel Cell. This interaction leads to complex atmospheric dynamics that can shape weather systems across different latitudes.
• Evaluate the impact of polar easterlies on climate variability at mid-latitudes.
  • Polar easterlies significantly impact climate variability at mid-latitudes by transporting cold air masses southward. This movement can lead to colder winter temperatures and more severe weather events in these regions. Additionally, when strong polar easterlies occur, they can disrupt normal weather patterns, such as causing shifts in the jet stream, resulting in unusual temperature extremes and precipitation patterns.
• Synthesize information about how polar easterlies contribute to global atmospheric circulation and its effects on regional climates.
  • Polar easterlies are a crucial component of global atmospheric circulation, serving as a driving force in the complex interplay of wind systems around the Earth. Their flow from east to west helps create distinct climate zones and influences weather patterns by redistributing cold air masses. This redistribution affects regional climates, leading to colder temperatures in areas affected by these winds, particularly during winter months. Understanding their role enhances our ability to predict climate changes and extreme weather events across various regions.

Related terms

Ferrel Cell:

A wind circulation pattern that occurs in the mid-latitudes, characterized by westerly winds that result from the interaction between the polar easterlies and the subtropical highs.

Trade Winds: Winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, driven by the Coriolis effect and solar heating, and which contribute to the overall circulation of the atmosphere.

Jet Stream: Narrow bands of strong winds high in the atmosphere that can influence weather patterns and are typically found at the boundaries between different air masses, including polar and tropical air.