Global Winds
Name _______________________________________________________ Per _____
1) On the circle below, connect the tick-marks on both the left and right sides of "Earth” with a pencil and ruler.
2) In the margin to the right side of your globe label the lines with the following latitude numbers:
Oº, 30º N, 30º S 60º N, 60º S, 9Oº N, 9Oº S
3) Write the word "LOW" on the line representing the equator. This identifies the equator as an area of warm
low pressure.
4) Using the words "HIGH" and "LOW", continue identifying the rest of the latitude lines you drew
on your circle. Alternate the words, beginning at the Equatorial Low, then working your way North, then South,
towards each pole (DON’T FORGET THE POLES!!)
5) In each of the 6 sections on your
globe draw a light, straight arrow.
Make each arrow point from the line
representing a high area to a low area
(BECAUSE AIR BLOWS FROM HIGH
TO LOW)
6) using a pencil, deflect each of the
arrows to show how Earth's rotation
would affect wind direction: WINDS
ARE DEFLECTED CLOCKWISE IN
THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
AND COUNTER-CLOCKWISE IN
THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
(Trust me!)
7) Using the names that appear below
label each of the 6 sections containing
deflected arrows to identify that region
as one of Earth's "wind belts".
8) To the left of your globe, draw a Convection Current next to each
zone showing the pattern of air flow.
Remember: Winds are named FROM
WHERE they came.
 Polar easterlies (Northern
Hemisphere)
 Polar easterlies
(Southern Hemisphere)
 Northeast trade winds
 Southeast trade winds
 Prevailing South Westerlies
 Prevailing North Westerlies
QUESTIONS:
1) The deflection of wind, ocean water and objects flying through the air is known as the: _________________.
2) This deflection is caused by: _____________________ .
3) What causes "winds"? _______________________________________________________ .
4) In what planetary wind belt is Iowa?_____________________ So, therefore, weather systems typically
travel from a(n) __________________ direction to a(n) ___________________ direction.
5) On a molecular level, explain why cold air is heavier, (denser) and therefore, exerts more pressure than
warm air (draw a diagram).
original handout by Phil Medina