Why are there three wind systems in the Northern Hemishpere rather than one??

Question

=)

pretty clear, right??

Answer 1

There are three wind systems in the Northern Hemisphere because of Coriolis forces and pressure differential. At the north pole and at the equator, we have low pressure systems form due to the suns heating of the areas. At these two locations, warm air rises and flows toward the 60 and 30 degree latitudes respectively. When they reach this area we see air descend and then return along the earths surfaces. Coriolis forces are what cause these winds to essentially "turn" to the right of the direction they are flowing. The Hadley cells between 60 and 30 latitude are a result of the air from the equator continuing to move towards the polar region. It is very complex and I am not a meteorologist, just a pilot, so I will refer you to a website that may help http://gpc.edu/~pgore/Earth&Space/GPS/wind.html

Answer 2

Good question Natasha. Let me try to answer it for you. The three wind systems that you refer to are related to the general circulation of the atmosphere. In this circulation there are three cells of vertical circulation. Try to picture a cross-section of the earth. At the equator the air rises with heating and in the upper atmosphere begins to flow toward the north. At about 30 degrees north latitude it sinks and flows back toward the equator forming the easterlies in the band from 30 N to the equator. This cell is the Hadley circulation. Between 30 N and about 60 N there is a similar circulation but in a reverse mode. It flows at the surface from 30 N to 60 N where it rises along the Polar front and returns aloft by flowing southward where it sinks at 30N. This cell is called the Ferrel cell and forms the band of westerlies. Finally, north of 60 N there is the Polar cell which in the upper atmosphere flows toward the Pole where it sinks and flows southward near the surface. Where the Ferrell and Hadley cells sink at 30 N we have the Horse latitudes an area of generally high pressure. And with the Polar cell the surface winds are called the polar easterlies. This same pattern is repeated in the southern hemisphere. I hope this helps explain these terms a little better for you and the reason for three wind systems.

Answer 3

That's just the way God created it.