Wind and Ocean Currents

Global windsOcean Currents

Local winds

Air movement • Warm air raises; Cold air sinks moving into

the void left be the warm air

• Air moves from high pressure to low pressure

Global winds

What beltAre we in?

Westerlies

Ocean Currents

• Surface Currents – In the upper 1000 m – Driven by temperature– Also know as the global ocean currents

• Density Currents – Driven by Density – More dense water sinks and where they

circulate for 500 to 2000 years

Surface Currents

• Warm Currents – Driven by Winds (temperature)– Flow away from the equator towards the poles

• Cold Currents – Driven by Winds (temperature)– Flow away from the poles towards the equator

• Counter Currents – Flow the opposite of the “wind” currents – They “Fill” in the gaps

Global ocean currents

Doldrums

• Windless zones at the equator

• Air moves vertically

• And current-less zone in the middle of the major ocean basins

• Water mover around them

Local winds

• Land Breeze • Cool air over the land • Warm air over water • Cold air slides into the

void left by the warm air rising

• Happens during nighttime

• Wind blowing from the land

• Sea breeze • Warm air over land • Cool air over water • Cold air slides into the

void left by the warm air rising

• Happens during daytime

• Wind blowing from the sea

Land Breeze

Wind

Land Breeze

Wind

Sea Breeze

Wind

Sea breeze

Wind