Weather Patterns Flashcards
Convection current
Gasses or liquids rise & fall in a circular path
Sea Breeze
When cold air sinks from the water and the warm air rises from the land
Land Breeze
When warm air rises from the water and cold air sinks from the land
Coriolis Effect
The rotation of the earth causes objects in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected left
Jet stream
A band of very fast moving wind caused by differences in temperature
About 10 km above the ground
Moves west to east in the northern hemisphere
Moves east to west in Southern Hemisphere
Trade winds
Winds that blow towards the equator
Bring cold air from the poles to the tropics
Use by sailors to travel west
Doldrums
A spot near the equator where there are very few winds
“Trap” sailors
Prevailing winds
Winds that blow away from the equator
Brings warm air from the tropics to the poles
Prevailing westerlies
Winds that blow away from the equator
Blow west to east
Found over the U.S.
Polar easterlies
Winds that are found near the poles
Winds that move east to west
El Niño
Band of warm ocean temperature that develops off the coast of South America
Can cause droughts
Warms up climate
La Niña
Band of cold ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America
Can cause more precipitation
Cools down climates
Gulf Stream
Brings warm air water to the poles
It’s on the east coast
