Prevailing Winds (Factors Affecting Climate)
- Linen Calope Jr.
- Jan 16, 2018
- 1 min read
PREVAILING WINDS
Prevailing winds are the winds which blow more often from one direction than another. Winds can greatly affect the amount of precipitation an area receives depending on the amount of moisture they are carrying. These prevailing winds can move air masses from the ocean onto a continent bringing moisture onto the continent. Or prevailing winds may move air masses from continent to the ocean, moving drier air from the continent. Prevailing winds affect the climate of an area.
LOCAL OR DAILY WINDS The direction of local winds is determined by the daily temperature variations.
When the air over the land is warmer than the air over a body the wind blows from the water to the land and is called a sea breeze. This often occurs in the morning and can be called a morning breeze When the air over the land is cooler than the air over the water, the wind will blow from the land to the water and is called a land breeze. This usually occurs in the evening or an evening breeze.
Local winds will also occur because of mountains. If the air over the mountain is warmer than the valley, the wind will blow from the mountain to the valley. This wind is called a valley breeze. In the evening when the mountain cools off faster than the valley, the wind blows from the mountain to the valley and is called a mountain breeze. On a hot summer evening, mountain breezes can be a cool welcome.