Global winds are large-scale wind patterns that occur in the Earth’s atmosphere. They are driven primarily by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun and the rotation of the Earth itself. These winds play a crucial role in regulating weather and climate by redistributing heat and moisture around the planet.
Global winds are generally divided into three main types: trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies. The trade winds blow from the east toward the west in the tropics, while the westerlies are found in mid-latitudes and blow from the west toward the east. The polar easterlies flow from the east toward the west in polar regions. The interaction of these global wind patterns influences ocean currents, weather systems, and even the distribution of ecosystems across the globe.