Question

What two factors explain why the prevailing westerlies blow toward the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and the southwest in the Southern Hemisphere

Answer 1

Unequal heating of the earth surface and Coriolis force

Step-by-step explanation:

The westerlies are the prevailing wind that blows from the west towards the northeastern and southeastern direction in the northern and southern hemisphere respectively and are found in the latitude between 30° to 60°. These winds are responsible for the transportation of warm water into the higher latitudinal areas.

The two factors that are responsible for the movement of the westerlies towards the northeast and southeast direction in the northern and southern hemisphere respectively are as follows-

• Unequal heating of the earth's surface- Due to this unequal heating of the earth's surface, it creates differences in pressure and gives rise to the origination of wind.

• Coriolis force- This force is resulted from the rotation of the earth and forces the wind to move in two different directions in the upper and the lower hemisphere of the earth.