Final answer:
The major planetary winds on Jupiter and Saturn consist of jet streams and alternating east-west wind patterns at different latitudes, with particularly strong equatorial jet streams. These wind patterns are influenced by regions of high and low pressure, as well as the rapid rotation of these giant planets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major planetary winds blowing on the globe refer to the large-scale patterns of atmospheric circulation produced by differences in temperature and pressure, which are influenced by the Earth's rotation. On Jupiter and Saturn, some of the most impressive wind patterns have been observed. For instance, at Jupiter's equator, there is a jet stream blowing eastward at around 90 meters per second (300 kilometers per hour). This pattern is somewhat akin to the jet streams found in Earth's upper atmosphere. There are also alternating east-west wind streams at higher latitudes on these giant planets, with each hemisphere almost reflecting the other. Saturn, specifically, has a much stronger equatorial jet stream, highlighting the intense atmospheric dynamics at play on these large celestial bodies. The presence of regions of high and low pressure further contributes to wind patterns, just as they do on Earth, with air flowing between these regions and being distorted by the planet's rotation.
It's important to note that the atmospheric motion on Jupiter and Saturn is fundamentally different from that of terrestrial planets, due to their rapid rotation and lack of a solid surface. This results in the smearing out of circulation into east-west patterns that are parallel to the equator and leads to enormous, long-lived storms such as those observed on both Jupiter and Neptune. The difference in atmospheric motions between terrestrial planets and jovian ones elucidates the staggering diversity of weather systems throughout our solar system.