Discussion 4: Understand wind patterns globally and locally No unread replies. No replies.

Initial Post (10pnts)

We have learned that wind patterns can be identified at different spatial scales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_scale), from micro (local) to mega (global). Windy.com  (https://www.windy.com/?34.141,-118.660,5.)is a fantastic website you can visualize wind patterns, and many other atmosphere characteristics. Let’s go to the website and explore a place you are interested!

1. Share with us the place you choose: ________(0.5pnts)
2. Zoom out to the global scale (like the picture shown below)(Note to writer picture can be found in files)  to explore the global wind patterns. Which wind-belt (http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/wwhlpr/hurricane_globalwinds.rxml.) is your place located in? This would be the predominant wind that affect the weather of your region all-year-long. Describe how the wind-belt is generated based on your understanding on the concepts. Check out this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ3Tj-tdQIk) if you are not sure about your answer. (3pnts)

Note: please make sure to check on “pressure” at the lower-right corner, and the layer “pressure” is turned on. If not, you can expand “More layers” and do a search in the search box (like the picture shown below)

1. Zoom in to your local area, and explore the local wind patterns. You can click on the map and check wind direction and wind speed in your area at the bottom (like the picture shown below). Revisit the website multiple times in a day. Record the wind direction and wind speed at your place at those hours using the table below: (3 pnts).

4. Briefly explain why local wind pattern changes in your area (3 pnts)?

Hint: wind pattern changes are caused by pressure pattern changes, you may want to zoom out a little bit to see the high and low pressure settings.

5. Challenge your classmates by proposing another place you would like to explore. Share with us the place here: _____________(0.5pnts)

Reply to Peers (5pnts)

Browse the posts of ONE of your classmates and read his/her challenge. Answer the following three questions: 

1. Which global wind belt the place is in? (1pnt)
2. Zoom in to the place and study local wind pattern. Record the wind directions at different hours in a day (like what you did for your location). (2pnts)
3. Briefly explain why local wind pattern changes at different hours of a day? If there is no changes, what are the local factors that may help keep wind direction constant in the day? (2pnts)

 Note to writer: I will share my one of classmates response one of them posts their initial response and then you can respond once I share it with you.