EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Note that the U.S. lies primarily in the Westerly Wind Belt with prevailing winds from the west. Each of these wind belts represents a “cell” that circulates air through the atmosphere from the surface to high altitudes and back again.

Detailed explanation-2: -Latitude and Prevailing Winds The winds move air masses, which causes weather. The direction of prevailing winds determines which type of air mass usually moves over an area. For example, a west wind might bring warm moist air from over an ocean. An east wind might bring cold dry air from over a mountain range.

Detailed explanation-3: -At high altitudes, two jet streams–fast-moving wind funnels–form the heart of the westerlies: the polar and subtropical jets. The polar jet, roughly marking the frontier between cold air poleward and warmer air equator-ward, is usually more significant in terms of surface weather.

Detailed explanation-4: -Prevailing westerlies are the major wind belts in the continental United States. The prevailing westerlies generally push air masses from west to east. For example, continental polar masses from central Canada enter the United States between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes.