Persistent easterly winds in the tropics, blowing from subtropical high pressure toward the equatorial low. They drive oceanic circulation.
basicWhat is Trade Winds?
Trade winds blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, converging at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). They were named by European sailors who used them for trans-oceanic trade routes. In Southeast Asia, the interaction between trade winds and monsoon winds creates the complex seasonal rainfall patterns that define the region.
Key points
- Persistent easterly winds in the tropics, blowing from subtropical high pressure toward the equatorial low. They drive oceanic circulation.
- Category: basic
Related terms
See also: trade-winds is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.