Global Wind Patterns. wind belts of the general circulation. The global wind pattern is also known as the "general circulation" and the surface winds of each hemisphere are divided into three wind belts: Polar Easterlies: From 60-90 degrees latitude. Prevailing Westerlies: From 30-60 degrees latitude (aka Westerlies). read more
Good examples of local winds are sea breezes and land breezes, and mountain and valley breezes. Local winds cover very short distances. Global Winds Global winds are really large air masses that are created mainly as a result of the earth’s rotation, the shape of the earth and the sun’s heating power. read more
The Trade winds near equator, Westerlies in the middle and Easterlies near the poles. Two important phenomena cause these winds. Convection currents - rising up of air with lower density; Coriolis Force; Earth is hotter near the equator and cold near the poles. This causes a general motion of wind from equator to poles in the upper layers of atmosphere. read more