Govt.

Model School, Nakashipara

Bethuadahari, Nadia
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Winds
Horizontal movement of air from one place to another on the earth surface is known as wind. Wind always
blows high pressure to low pressure region.

Classification : Winds are of four types- A. Planetary wind. B. Periodic Wind, C. Local Wind, D. Sudden or Irregular
Wind.

A/ Planetary Wind – Winds that blow permanently throughout the year in a certain direction from high pressure
belts to the low pressure belts are called Planetary wind. E.g. Trade wind, Westerlies, Polar winds.

B/ Periodic Wind - The winds which change their direction for a specific period ( of a day, month or a year ) due to
unequal heating of land and water , are known as periodic wind. E.g. Sea Breeze, Land breeze, Monsoon, Anabatic
and Katabatic wind etc.

C/ Local Wind – local winds are those which blows locally and originate from local difference of temperature and
pressure condition. E.g. Foehn, Chinook etc.

D/ Sudden or Irregular wind - Irregular wind that cause sudden disturbances in the atmosphere are called Sudden
winds. E.g. Cyclone, Anti-cyclone etc.

Planetary Winds System

Q. Describe the origin and direction of the planetary winds on the Earth surface.
Q. Describe the planetary wind system of the Earth.

Winds that blow permanently throughout the year in a certain direction from high belts to the low pressure
belts are called Planetary wind.

Origin and Direction: Planetary winds always blow from high pressure belt to low pressure belts to balance the air
pressure. They are deflected right in Northern hemisphere and left in Southern hemisphere due to coriolis force .

Classification : Planetary winds are three types – A. Trade wind, B. Westerlies, C. Polar winds.

A. Trade Winds
Definition : Winds that blow permanently from the Sub-tropical high pressure belts to the equatorial low pressure
belts are known as the trade winds.

Meaning : The word trade means track. That is blown along a regular track. Moreover, they are also called because
they helped merchant’s ships to trade in ancient period.

Location : This winds are blowing between 5° to 20° latitude in

both hemisphere.

Classification : There have two trade winds in both hemispheres.

1. North-East trade wind- In northern hemisphere North-

East trade wind blows from north-east to south-west due
to carioles force.
2. South-East trade wind- This wind blows from south-East
to North-West due to carioles force in southern hemisphere.
As the trade winds come from the East in both of hemisphere , they are also called Easterlies.
SANJAY MRIDHA (W.B.Sub.E.S)
 Govt. Model School, Nakashipara
Bethuadahari, Nadia
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Important :
1. Trade winds occurs heavy rainfall in the eastern part of continents.
2. When the trade wind crosses the continent and arrives at the western part, it becomes warm and dry. As a
result dry and hot deserts are formed. For example- Sahara, Kalahari et c.

B. Westerlies
Definition : Winds that blow permanently from the Sub-tropical high pressure belts to the Sub-polar low pressure
belts are known as the Westerlies winds.

Meaning: As the trade winds come from the west in both of hemisphere, they are called the Westerlies. The
direction of Westerlies is opposite to trade winds, so these winds also called Anti-Trade winds.

Location : This winds are blowing between 30° to 60° latitude in both hemisphere.

Classification : There have two Westerlies winds in both hemispheres.

 South-West Westerlies - In northern hemisphere South-West Westerlies blows from south-west to north-
east due to pressure gradient and coriolis force.
 North-West Westerlies - This wind blows from North-West to South-East due to coriolis force in southern
hemisphere.
The Brave Weasterlies : In Southern hemisphere between 30° to 60° South latitude westerlies are best
developed due to vast Oceans and absence of extensive land masses. Westerlies of this zone are blown
uninterruptedly and forcedly. This is why the sailors used the word ‘The Brave Weasterlies’ to describe them.

A/ Roaring forties: When brave westerlies blow along 40° South latitude with violent sounds is called
‘Roaring forties’.
B/ Furious fifties: when the brave westerlies flow along 50° South parallel of latitude, then it is called
Furious fifties.
C/ Screeching / Shrieking sixties: when the brave westerlies blow along the 60° South parallels of
latitudes, then it is called shrieking sixties.
SANJAY MRIDHA (W.B.Sub.E.S)
 Govt. Model School, Nakashipara
Bethuadahari, Nadia
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Influence of Westerlies:
1. These winds are onshore winds on the Western coast of continents and bring much precipitation, but the
Eastern parts remain completely dry.
2. This winds occurs the mid-latitudes cyclone or Anti-cyclone.
3. Westerlies bring winter rainfall in many parts of Mediterranean region.

C. Polar Winds
Definition : Winds that blow permanently from the Polar high pressure belts of Arctic & Antarctic to the Sub-polar
low pressure belts of Arctic Circle & Antarctic Circle are known as the polar winds.

Meaning : This wind originated from poles, they are known as Polar winds.

Location : This winds are blowing between 70° to 85° latitude in both hemisphere.

Classification : There have two polar winds in both hemispheres.

 North-Easterly Polar wind- In northern hemisphere North-Easterly Polar wind blows from north-east of
pole to south-west due to coriolis force.
 South-Easterly Polar wind- This wind blows from south-East to North-West of Antarctic circle due to
coriolis force in southern hemisphere.

Influence of Polar winds:

 Polar winds are extremely cold and they are responsible for bitterly cold climate.
 They bring anticyclone and blizzards.

SANJAY MRIDHA (W.B.Sub.E.S)