Science·Weather & Climate·conceptual
Global Wind Patterns
Explain that unequal solar heating drives large-scale atmospheric circulation: Hadley cells (0-30°), Ferrel cells (30-60°), and polar cells (60-90°) produce the trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies; describe how the Coriolis effect from Earth's rotation deflects winds rightward in the Northern Hemisphere; explain the jet stream as a fast high-altitude wind that steers weather systems; connect jet stream waviness and Arctic amplification to prolonged extreme weather
Suggested ages 11–13
Evidence of understanding
No evidence statements are recorded.
Assessment prompt
Can Global Wind Patterns explain why the UK tends to get wet weather arriving from the west — what global pattern of winds is steering weather systems, and how does Earth's rotation contribute to this?
Standards alignment
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