Climate

Wind Patterns Project

By: Alex L.

Blue

Last Updated: March 19th 2008

Local Air Patterns

Every summer, Mr. Whoolner flies his kite on the beach he goes to every year. In the morning the kite he flys always goes inland. Why is this? Air molecules on the land heat up and rise into the sky. Then the air molecules move toward the ocean, cool down and they sink toward the water. Then the air moves toward the land again and the cycle starts all over again!

Global Air Patterns

The worlds air patterns are similar to the air patterns at Mr. Whoolners beach. The air molecules heat up around the equator because the sun is directly shining on that spot and they rise and create a low pressure front. Then when they hit the top of the atmosphere they go in all directions. The air keeps going in the direction untill it cools and sinks. Then it either keeps going in its direction or it goes back to the tropics. On the poles, there is less sun so it creates a high pressure front that makes the air travel toward the tropics. It either gets there or it heats and rises and then goes back to the polar region from which it came. As you can see, there is a constant cycle of air around us that affects the climate where we live.

Clolumbus used these wind patterns to get to South America !!Click here to learn more!!