Final answer:
The north-east and south-west trade winds affect precipitation patterns, wind direction, and temperature regulation in West Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The north-east and south-west trade winds play important roles in the seasonal changes over West Africa, particularly in terms of precipitation patterns and wind direction.
The north-east trade winds blow from the northeast towards the southwest, bringing moist air from the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa. This moist air rises over the land, causing it to cool and condense, resulting in abundant rainfall during the summer season.
On the other hand, the south-west trade winds blow from the southwest towards the northeast, carrying dry air from the Sahara Desert. These dry winds limit rainfall and contribute to the dry season in West Africa. Additionally, the winds also affect temperature regulation by bringing cool air during the night and hot air during the day.