Polat Easterlies

Polar Westerlies

Prevailing Easterlies

Prevailing Westerlies

from east to west

from west to east

from north to south

North Carolina will experience tropical weather conditions.

North Carolina will experience hot, dry weather.

North Carolina will experience mild weather.

North Carolina will experience cold weather.

The prevailing westerlies move air masses from west to east across the United States but may be deflected by the jet stream.

The trade winds move air masses from west to east across the United States.

The jet stream moves air masses from the Pacific Ocean across the United States.

The warm air of the Gulf Stream causes air masses to move from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

land breeze

sea breeze

trade wind

land breeze

sea breeze

trade wind

El Niño

La Niña

the Jet Stream

the Gulf Stream

The cold water from the Gulf Stream current cools the land.

The warm water from the Gulf Stream current warms the land.

The cold water from the Gulf Stream current decreases inland wind

speeds.

The warm water from the Gulf Stream current increases inland wind

speeds.

The Gulf Stream causes temperatures to decrease.

The Gulf Stream causes temperatures to increase.

The Gulf Stream causes more overcast skies.