trade wind

Also known as trade winds, tradewinds, easterlies

permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region

AI overview

Trade winds are permanent winds that consistently blow from east to west in the areas around Earth's equator. They matter because these predictable wind patterns have historically been crucial for sailing and ocean navigation, and they continue to influence weather patterns and climate around the world.

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Commons category: Trade winds

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Article

The westerlies (blue arrows) and trade winds (yellow and brown arrows)

The trade winds, or easterlies, are east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in Earth's equatorial region. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, strengthening during the winter and when the Arctic oscillation is in its warm phase. Trade winds have been used by captains of sailing ships to cross the world's oceans for centuries. They enabled European colonization of the Americas, and trade routes to become established across the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.