05 Fifth: the pressure system and the four classes of wind
- Winds move horizontally permanently from high pressure to low pressure.
1Permanent (planetary) winds
Behaviour
- blow in a fixed system all year across the main pressure belts
Examples
- Trade winds blow from latitude 30° toward the equator and temper the heat; the westerlies (reverse winds) are warm and rainy; the polar winds are extremely cold
2Seasonal (monsoon) winds
Behaviour
- reverse their direction seasonally between summer and winter
Examples
- South and South-East Asia — rainy in summer, dry in winter
3Local winds
Behaviour
- blow over limited areas for short periods
Examples
- Khamsin winds in Egypt, carrying dust in spring; Huboob in Sudan
4Daily winds
Behaviour
- caused by the temperature contrast between land and water by day and by night
Examples
- sea breeze / land breeze and mountain / valley breeze