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Weather systems.
Classic high and low weather
systems bring typical weather which we can predict. The stylised diagram
below shows the general pattern and distribution of weather systems in
the Atlantic. Knowledge of the general wind patterns is essential when
planning ocean passages.
Mid Atlantic high pressure systems create the conditions for a low
pressure system to form further north (or south in the southern
hemisphere).
The centre of the high pressure systems are the Horse Latitudes, an area notorious for little wind.
To the south of the high pressure system are the Northeast
Tradewinds (in the northern hemisphere) and to the north of the
high pressure system in the southern hemisphere are the
Southeast Tradewinds.
Drifting around the equator, following the declination of the sun, are
the infamous Doldrums another area with little wind.
Along with the weather systems and the trade winds these move north and
south throughout the year.
Ocean currents generally follow the wind patterns.
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Stylised Atlantic
weather systems.
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