Question 12
Describe the origin and direction of the planetary winds on the Earth.
Answer
Planetary winds are large-scale winds that blow steadily and constantly in a particular direction over a vast region. They are also known as the prevailing winds. The planetary winds on the Earth are mainly classified into three types:
- Polar easterlies: These winds blow from the polar high-pressure belt towards the sub-polar low-pressure belt, from the east to the west.
- Westerlies: These winds blow from the sub-polar low-pressure belt towards the sub-tropical high-pressure belt, from the west to the east.
- Trade winds: These winds blow from the sub-tropical high-pressure belt towards the equatorial low-pressure belt, from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.
These winds are caused due to the differences in temperature and pressure across the globe. The rotation of the earth and the Coriolis effect also play a significant role in shaping the planetary wind patterns.
