Polar easterlies

Definition

Polar easterlies are cold winds that blow from the east to the west in polar regions, specifically between 60° latitude and the poles. These winds are a key component of the global circulation system, interacting with other wind patterns and influencing weather and climate in both polar and mid-latitude areas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polar easterlies are most prominent in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and can significantly affect local weather conditions, including the formation of polar lows.
2. These winds originate from high-pressure systems over the poles, where cold, dense air sinks and spreads out toward lower latitudes.
3. The polar easterlies can converge with warmer air masses from lower latitudes, leading to storm development and changing weather patterns.
4. In the Southern Hemisphere, polar easterlies are generally stronger than in the Northern Hemisphere due to less land interference and a more uniform ocean surface.
5. These winds play a crucial role in transporting cold air toward lower latitudes, contributing to the temperature gradients observed in different regions.

Review Questions

• How do polar easterlies interact with other wind patterns in the atmosphere?
  • Polar easterlies interact with both the Hadley and Ferrel cells, creating a complex system of air movement. As these cold easterly winds move toward lower latitudes, they can meet warmer westerly winds from mid-latitudes, resulting in the formation of fronts and storms. This interaction not only influences local weather but also plays a vital role in maintaining global temperature balance by redistributing heat around the planet.
• What impact do polar easterlies have on weather patterns in both polar and mid-latitude regions?
  • Polar easterlies significantly influence weather patterns by bringing cold air into lower latitudes, which can lead to abrupt temperature drops and changes in precipitation. In polar regions, these winds contribute to the formation of sea ice and influence local climates. In mid-latitude areas, when they collide with warm air masses, they can trigger storms, affecting broader weather systems across regions.
• Evaluate the role of polar easterlies in global climate systems and their potential impact on climate change.
  • Polar easterlies play a critical role in global climate systems by helping regulate temperatures through their movement of cold air toward lower latitudes. As climate change alters temperature gradients between the poles and equator, there may be shifts in the strength and position of these easterly winds. This could lead to more extreme weather events as warmer air interacts differently with these cold winds, potentially resulting in disruptions to established climate patterns and ecosystems.

Related terms

Hadley Cell: A tropical atmospheric circulation pattern where warm air rises near the equator and moves toward the poles, descending around 30° latitude.

Ferrel Cell: A mid-latitude atmospheric circulation pattern that exists between the Hadley and polar cells, characterized by westerly winds.

Jet Stream: A fast-flowing river of air in the atmosphere found at high altitudes, which influences weather patterns and can interact with the polar easterlies.