Why does prevailing winds affect the climate

Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification. Rising Sea Level. Prevailing winds Prevailing winds are winds that blow consistently in a given direction over a particular region on Earth.

Convection is one of the major ways that heat is transferred. It occurs because hotter liquids and gasses have a tendency to rise, while colder liquids and gasses have a tendency to sink. Think of heating a pot of water on the stove. Initially, the bottom portion of the water is heated by the energy produced by the stove, but, after a while, bubbles form and rise to the surface. The bubbles are pockets of hot water rising to the surface that heat the water around them as they rise.

The same thing happens on a larger scale when the sun heats the ocean and colder water sinks underneath. Ocean currents affect the temperature by moving hot or cold water from one location to another.

A land breeze occurs when the opposite happens and the water retains more heat than the land. Additional factors that affect wind direction are the Coriolis Effect and Topography. Coriolis effect is the rotation of the earth from west to east, which, generally speaking, causes winds to blow in a counterclockwise or clockwise manner.

Tracking wind direction is hardly a new concept. In fact, the first weathervane was invented in 48 BC by Greek astronomer Andronicus. They are mounted on the highest point of a structure without any obstructions that could block wind flow, such as trees or other buildings. Personal tools Log in. Evidence for policy.

Our data. About ECN. Moor House student placement. Wytham student placement. Weather: anticyclones and depressions. Explanatory notes for teachers. Dysgu am y tywydd a newid yn yr hinsawdd.

Volunteering with ECN. Info 3. Distance from the sea Continentality The sea affects the climate of a place. Ocean currents Ocean currents can increase or reduce temperatures. Click the map to see a larger version The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current in the North Atlantic flowing from the Gulf of Mexico, northeast along the U.

Direction of prevailing winds Winds that blow from the sea often bring rain to the coast and dry weather to inland areas. The shape of the land 'relief' Climate can be affected by mountains. Distance from the equator The distance from the equator affects the climate of a place. Human influence The factors above affect the climate naturally.