Polar easterlies

Definition

Polar easterlies are cold, dry winds that originate from the polar high-pressure areas, blowing from east to west near the poles. These winds are a part of the Earth's global wind patterns and play a significant role in influencing weather and climate in polar regions as well as affecting other wind systems globally.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polar easterlies typically occur between 60 degrees latitude and the poles, where cold air sinks and creates high-pressure systems.
2. These winds are often responsible for transporting cold air masses towards lower latitudes, impacting weather conditions beyond the polar regions.
3. Polar easterlies can contribute to the formation of polar fronts, where they meet warmer air from lower latitudes, leading to significant weather phenomena such as storms.
4. The strength and consistency of polar easterlies can vary depending on seasonal changes and overall climatic conditions.
5. In addition to influencing local climates, polar easterlies play a role in global circulation patterns, affecting ocean currents and overall climate systems.

Review Questions

• How do polar easterlies interact with other wind systems like the prevailing westerlies?
  • Polar easterlies and prevailing westerlies work together to create distinct weather patterns. As polar easterlies blow from east to west near the poles, they often collide with the prevailing westerlies that flow from west to east in the mid-latitudes. This interaction can lead to the development of storm systems and fronts, significantly influencing weather across a wide range of latitudes.
• Discuss the impact of polar easterlies on global climate and weather patterns.
  • Polar easterlies affect global climate by transporting cold air toward lower latitudes and influencing temperature distribution around the globe. Their interaction with warmer air masses can create significant weather events, such as cyclones or blizzards. Additionally, these winds help maintain the stability of high-pressure systems in polar regions, contributing to climatic conditions that can affect ecosystems and human activity in both polar and temperate zones.
• Evaluate the implications of changes in polar easterly wind patterns due to climate change.
  • Changes in polar easterly wind patterns due to climate change can have profound effects on global weather systems. For instance, shifts in these winds could lead to alterations in temperature distribution, affecting sea ice extent and melting rates in polar regions. Such changes could disrupt established climate patterns and contribute to more frequent extreme weather events, influencing not only local climates but also global weather dynamics, potentially leading to increased unpredictability in weather forecasting.

Related terms

Polar High: A region of high atmospheric pressure found near the poles, resulting from the intense cooling of air in these areas.

Prevailing Westerlies: Winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes, which interact with polar easterlies and influence weather patterns.

Hadley Cell:

A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that causes warm air to rise at the equator and cool air to sink in the subtropics, influencing wind systems like the polar easterlies.