The Jet Stream and Ocean Currents Earth Science

Prevailing Winds that blow from a certain compass direction for a large part of

Monsoons A wet day in Mumbai, India (summer monsoon)

In summer, the sun’s intensity is greatest over Asia. This creates a region of

Jet Streams are caused by extreme pressure gradients between polar and equatorial air masses.

n n Jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air. The 50°-60°

General Location of the Polar and Subtropical Jet Stream in Summer (N. Hemisphere)

What causes Ocean Currents to flow? n n n n Break it down! Earth

Types of Ocean Currents Cold Current n originate in polar regions and flow towards

Ocean Currents: What direction do they flow? Northern Hemisphere: n clockwise n Southern Hemisphere:

Warm, tropical waters travel in a clockwise direction due to the prevailing winds and

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The Jet Stream and Ocean Currents Earth Science Mr. Cloud

General Circulation in the Troposphere

Prevailing Winds that blow from a certain compass direction for a large part of the year n Affected by Earth’s rotation (Coriolis Effect) n Otherwise known as planetary winds. n Example: prevailing westerlies n

Monsoons A wet day in Mumbai, India (summer monsoon)

In summer, the sun’s intensity is greatest over Asia. This creates a region of low pressure that rises from the land, sinks to the ocean, and brings extreme moisture in its return. In winter, insolation has its greatest intensity south of the equator. This creates a region of low pressure that rises from the south, sinks over Asia, and brings dry, cool weather to the region.

Jet Streams are caused by extreme pressure gradients between polar and equatorial air masses.

n n Jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air. The 50°-60° N/S region is where the polar jet is located with the subtropical jet located around 30°N. Temperature changes the greatest in these areas causing extreme differences in air pressure. As the difference in temperature between the two locations increase, the strength of the wind increases

General Location of the Polar and Subtropical Jet Stream in Summer (N. Hemisphere)

Surface Ocean Currents

What causes Ocean Currents to flow? n n n n Break it down! Earth is spherical causes uneven heating of the Earth causes convection in the troposphere establishes Earth’s pressure belts produces prevailing winds drags upon the ocean’s surface causing the water to move!

Types of Ocean Currents Cold Current n originate in polar regions and flow towards the equator n Warm current n originate in equatorial regions and flow towards the poles n

Ocean Currents: What direction do they flow? Northern Hemisphere: n clockwise n Southern Hemisphere: n counterclockwise n

Warm, tropical waters travel in a clockwise direction due to the prevailing winds and Coriolis Effect. Color enhanced image of the Gulf Stream.