Generalized Pattern of Global Winds
The general pattern of atmospheric circulation has 7 components, which are
replicated north & south of the equator:
1) polar high pressure - bet. 80° & 90° N & S latitude; zone of high pressure with
variable
winds and cold & dry air
2) polar easterlies - bet. 65° & 80° N & S latitude; northeast in N.H. & southeast in S.H.
3) subpolar low pressure - bet. 60° & 65° N & S latitude; contains the polar front; zone of
low pressure with rising air, widespread cloudiness, precipitation, stormy weather
and cool & moist air
4) westerlies - bet. 35° & 60° N & S latitude; southwest in N.H. & northwest in S.H.
5) subtropical high pressure - bet. 30° & 35° N & S latitude; zone of high pressure with
an
absence of wind (horse latitudes) and hot & dry air
6) trade winds - bet. 5° & 30° N & S latitude; northeast in N.H. & southeast in S.H.; blow
most of the time in the same direction & speed, day & night, summer & winter
7) intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) - bet. 5° N & S of the equator; zone of low
pressure with weak horizontal air flow (the doldrums) and warm & wet air