What are the Trade Winds?

The trade winds blow in the tropics between the subtropical high-pressure belt and the equatorial low-pressure belt between 30°N and 30°S.

  • They are warm winds, and hence, they pick up moisture and bring heavy rainfall on the eastern sides of the tropical islands.
  • They are deflected to the right of their course in the Northern Hemisphere and to the south in the Southern Hemisphere. Thus, in the Northern hemisphere, they become North Trade Winds, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they are called Southeast Trade Winds.
  • They blow at a constant speed and are regular.
  • They are associated with constant depressions and cyclones.
  • The Trade Winds are also known as permanent or constant winds. The only exception is that they are replaced by the monsoon winds in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Also, Read

Pressure belts and types of winds

The distribution of atmospheric pressure across the latitudes is known as the global horizontal distribution of pressure. Read more

Isolation and heat balance

The Sun is the source of light and heat on the Earth. The heat and energy radiated by the Sun in all directions are known as solar radiation. Read More

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