WESTERLIES Meaning and
Definition
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The term "westerlies" refers to prevailing winds that blow from the west towards the east in the middle latitudes of the Earth's atmosphere. These winds are characterized by their westward direction and are found between the latitudes of approximately 30° and 60° in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The westerlies are a result of the Earth's rotation and the coriolis effect. As the Earth spins on its axis, the equator moves faster than the poles, creating a difference in wind speeds. This causes the air to curve to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere, resulting in the westerly wind pattern.
The westerlies are most pronounced in the mid-latitudes and play a crucial role in weather patterns and ocean currents. They help to transport weather systems, such as storms and fronts, from west to east, impacting the distribution of temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure.
In addition to their meteorological significance, the westerlies have also influenced historical maritime routes and trade. Sailors have long taken advantage of the westerlies on their voyages, as the winds in this region are generally reliable and help to expedite eastward travel.
Overall, the westerlies are a significant component of Earth's atmospheric circulation, influencing weather patterns and air travel. Their name derives from their direction, which blows from west to east, distinguishing them from the easterlies that blow in the opposite direction.
Common Misspellings for WESTERLIES
Etymology of WESTERLIES
The word "westerlies" is derived from the combination of two words: "west" and "erlies".
The word "west" originated from the Old English word "west", which has West Germanic roots. It is related to the Proto-Germanic word "wes-tēr", meaning "west" or "western". The Old English word eventually evolved into the word "west" in modern English, referring to the direction towards the point of the sunset.
The suffix "-erlies" is used to form plural adjectives and nouns, denoting the qualities or characteristics of something. In this case, it is added to "west-" to create "westerlies", describing winds that blow from the west.
Therefore, the etymology of the word "westerlies" can be traced back to the combination of "west" and "-erlies", meaning winds that come from the west.
Similar spelling words for WESTERLIES
- western birch,
- western axe,
- western isles,
- western ax,
- westerman,
- westerlund,
- western yew,
- westernise,
- Westergard,
- western skink,
- western,
- westernize,
- westerling,
- westerfield,
- westerberg,
- Westrick,
- westervelt,
- westrich,
- westernmost,
- westerner,
- Western Samoa,
- westerly.
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