Science Common Sense

101 - How does the Earth's rotation affect weather patterns?

The Earth's rotation affects weather patterns in a few ways:

  1. Trade Winds: The Earth's rotation makes winds curve as they move towards the equator. This creates trade winds that bring warm air from the equator to other parts of the world.

  2. Global Circulation Patterns: The rotation of the Earth also creates huge circulation patterns in the atmosphere, like the jet stream. These patterns help move air from one place to another, creating different weather conditions.

  3. Weather Fronts Moving: Imagine you're holding a spinning top and you push it gently. It will move in a curved path. That's what happens to weather fronts (like cold or warm air) when they move across the Earth due to its rotation.

So, the Earth's rotation is like a big invisible force that helps shape the weather patterns we experience.

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