Trade winds

Definition

Trade winds are steady, consistent winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, occurring between the equator and about 30 degrees latitude in both hemispheres. They are a significant component of Earth's atmospheric circulation, playing a crucial role in weather patterns and ocean currents, and are influenced by the Coriolis effect, which causes moving air to turn as it travels across the surface of the planet.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Trade winds are most consistent in the tropics, blowing steadily from east to west, and are important for maritime navigation.
2. These winds help drive ocean currents, such as the North Equatorial Current and South Equatorial Current, which impact global climate patterns.
3. The interaction between trade winds and ocean surfaces can influence phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, affecting weather across the globe.
4. Trade winds can vary in strength seasonally due to changes in temperature and pressure systems, which can impact local weather conditions.
5. The strength of trade winds is generally stronger during the winter months in both hemispheres due to differences in temperature between land and ocean.

Review Questions

• How do trade winds affect ocean currents and what impact does this have on global climate?
  • Trade winds play a vital role in driving ocean currents by pushing surface water from east to west. This movement of water helps establish major currents like the North and South Equatorial Currents. These currents not only distribute heat across the oceans but also influence weather patterns and temperatures in distant regions, ultimately affecting global climate. The dynamics between trade winds and these currents can lead to significant climate events such as El Niño or La Niña.
• Discuss how the Coriolis effect influences the behavior of trade winds.
  • The Coriolis effect causes moving air masses, including trade winds, to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection results in trade winds blowing from east to west rather than directly north or south. The interaction between trade winds and the Coriolis effect creates distinct wind patterns that are essential for understanding atmospheric circulation and weather systems around the globe.
• Evaluate how variations in trade wind strength can influence local weather patterns in tropical regions.
  • Variations in trade wind strength can significantly impact local weather patterns by altering rainfall distribution and temperature. When trade winds are strong, they can enhance upwelling along coastlines, leading to cooler sea surface temperatures and different precipitation patterns. Conversely, weaker trade winds may allow warmer water to accumulate, potentially increasing rainfall and humidity levels. These changes can have direct consequences on agriculture, ecosystems, and overall weather conditions in tropical areas.

Related terms

Coriolis effect: The phenomenon that causes moving objects, including air masses, to turn and twist as they travel across the Earth's surface, due to the planet's rotation.

Hadley cell: A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern where warm air rises near the equator and cools as it moves poleward, then sinks around 30 degrees latitude, creating areas of high and low pressure.

Equatorial low: A region of low atmospheric pressure located around the equator, where warm, moist air rises and contributes to tropical rainfall.