Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. The winds which blow between 30°N and 60°S latitude throughout the year are known as westerlies.
  2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:

  • Westerlies and Easterlies are examples of Planetary winds or Primary winds. These are the winds that typically blow in the same direction all year.
  • Westerlies are prevailing winds that flow from the west towards the East. 
  • It flows between 30°N-60°N and 30°S-60°S degrees latitude.
  • It is also known as anti trades winds as it originates from the high-pressure area Horse latitude and flows towards the subpolar low-pressure area. 
  • The blows from South West to North East in the Northern hemisphere and from North west to the south east in the southern hemisphere. 
  • The westerlies are stronger in the Southern hemisphere due to the vast ocean and comparatively less land.  
  • They are best observed between 40 to 60-degree latitude and these latitudes are also known as Roaring forties, Furious fifties, and shrieking sixties.  
  • There are fluctuations in the subpolar region. Thus, they produce wet spells due to variation in weather.  
  • The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North-Western region of India part of Western disturbances that originate from the Mediterranean sea.
westerlies and easterlies