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Wind blowing westward and toward the Equator from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the intertropical convergence zone is known as the trade wind (ITCZ). Over the oceans, it is stronger and more persistent than over land, resulting in mostly cloudy skies with shallow cumulus clouds or bright skies, which make trade-wind islands popular tourist destinations. Its typical speed is 5 to 6 m/s (11 to 13 miles per hour), however it may reach speeds of up to 13 m/s (30 miles per hour). The crews of sailing ships that relied on the winds for westward ocean passages termed the trade winds.
Trade winds
The trade winds are consistent east-west winds that blow just north and south of the equator. Ships can use the winds to move from place to place, and they could be used to steer storms like hurricanes.
A circulation is generated by huge temperature and pressure changes around the Earth, particularly between various latitudes. The trade winds, which occur in the equatorial region, are a part of this circulation.
Meaning of Trade winds
a wind blowing very continuously in one direction, especially from the northeast in the belt between the northern horse latitudes and the doldrums, and from the southeast in the belt between the southern horse latitudes and the doldrums —usually plural
Examples of Trade wind
1.The bright red urban farmhouse’s on-site restaurant, a compact open-air cafe with picnic chairs that catch the trade winds, is open on weekends.
- Meanwhile, the Walker Circulation, an equatorial pattern that drives the Pacific trade winds, has been boosted by heat from the rising tropical Atlantic.
Origin of Trade winds
The strong heat and evaporation of the atmosphere around the equator causes trade winds.
- Warm air rises quickly over the equator, carrying a lot of moisture. The rising process is more powerful than in conventional thunderstorms, and it’s aided by the impact of adiabatic cooling: as moisture condenses during the rising of the air, it warms it even more, causing it to rise faster. As a consequence, warm air rises to a height of 12-15 km and is constantly followed by more warm air.
- As a result, the rising air flows sideways towards the tropics, losing heat and moisture in the process. The air has cooled and dried so much after a voyage of km.
- Around the tropics, the air begins to sink and eventually touches the earth.
- It then reverses direction and returns to the equator, beginning the circulation process.
Circulation
On a global map, you can see how the tropics’ trade winds blow in the direction of the equator. This effect is most noticeable above the oceans, and it shifts seasonally to the north or south, depending on the Sun’s highest angle. During the months of July and August, the North and South Trade winds meet roughly 1000-2000 km north of the equator; from January to February, they meet about 1000-2000 km south of the equator.
Larger land masses or impediments divert or interrupt the trade winds. As a result, little or no Trade wind circulation occurs above the continents (Africa, South America), due to local convection (air rise) above the land masses. Many small islands block the Trade wind circulation across the Indonesian islands, reducing its strength. High pressure differences between Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian Subcontinent can detour the Trade Wind circulation in the northern Indian Ocean.
Trade winds explanation
Wind blowing westward and toward the Equator from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the intertropical convergence zone is known as the trade wind (ITCZ). Over the oceans, it is stronger and more persistent than over land, resulting in partially cloudy skies with shallow cumulus clouds or bright skies, which make trade-wind islands popular tourist destinations. Its usual speed is 5 to 6 m / sec (11 to 13 miles per hour), however it may reach speeds of up to 13 m / sec (30 miles per hour). The crews of sailing ships that relied on the winds for westward ocean passages termed the trade winds.
Wind
In climatology, wind is the movement of air relative to the Earth’s surface. Winds are significant in deciding and managing the environment and weather. After that, there is a brief discussion of winds. See climate: Wind for further information.
Wind is caused by horizontal and vertical pressure variations (gradients) in the atmosphere. As a result, wind distribution is closely related to pressure distribution. Winds near the Earth’s surface usually flow around cyclones and anticyclones, which are areas of relatively low and high pressure, respectively. They rotate clockwise around Northern Hemisphere lows and counter clockwise around Southern Hemisphere lows. Similarly, wind systems revolve in the opposite direction around the centres of highs.
The trade winds blow from east to west for a reason.
The trade winds blow westward due to the way the Earth rotates on its axis. Warm, moist air from the equator rises in the atmosphere, while cooler air closer to the poles sinks, causing the trade winds to occur.
Why don’t all winds blow north and south if air is cycling from the equator to the poles? The Northern Hemisphere’s winds curve to the right, whereas the Southern Hemisphere’s air curves to the left, since the Earth spins while the air flows.
This phenomenon is termed as the Coriolis Effect, and it explains why the trade winds in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres blow westward. Around 30 degrees north and south of the equator, the trade winds blow. There is essentially little wind right at the equator, which is referred to as the doldrums.
What are the effects of the doldrums and trade winds on our weather?
The Sun shines straight on the equator, producing extremely high temperatures. The heat warms the air and causes some ocean water to evaporate, creating warm, moist air in the doldrums. In tropical climates, this warm, wet air rises into the atmosphere and cools, forming clouds — and eventually rain and storms. Some of these storms become hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, and hurricanes can be steered westward into the United States either by trade winds.
Conclusion
Tropical meteorology, which is characterised by trade winds and their impacts, is notoriously fickle. The lightness of the warmed air in this region, which sees the Sun at its peak, draws trade winds from the north, east, and south in the vicinity of land or sea. The eastern equatorial current is formed when these converge and ascend in a powerful updraft.
