Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Atmospheric and Ocean Circulations
This course outline offers resources focused on the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean.
Other
University of Windsor: Climates on a Rotating Earth
This site offers the text of a college lecture on the atmosphere, with information on the effect prevailing westerlies have on North America.
Columbia University
The Climate System: Atmospheric Forces, Balances, and Weather Systems
The large scale horizontal flow of air in the atmosphere is driven by the imbalance of net radiation over the globe. This resource introduces us to the physical laws governing the horizontal motion of air. It also describes types of...
PBS
Nova: Jet Stream Frequently Asked Questions
This resource answers the six most frequently asked questions about the jet stream.
Other
Kites as Education: Wind Origins
This "kite science" site offers information on wind and the atmospheric conditions that cause it. From "Principles of Aeronautics."
USA Today
Usa Today: Jet Stream Roars Along High Above Earth
A good explanation of the jet stream is offered with links to other related information.
Other
Cornerstone Networks: Fourth Grade Science Lesson 1
This site, designed as a fourth-grade lesson, focuses on the earth's atmosphere with information on prevailing winds.
PBS
Pbs/global Weather Machine
This site explains wind systems as part of a global weather scheme, with illustrations.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Fact Sheet for El Nino
This site from the Univ. Corp. for Atmospheric Research provides detailed information on El Nino and its effects on the trade winds is offered at this site, with satellite photos.
NOAA
Noaa: Weather Systems and Patterns
Imagine our weather if Earth were completely motionless, had a flat dry landscape and an un-tilted axis. This, of course, is not the case; if it were, the weather would be much different. The local weather that impacts our daily lives...
NASA
Nasa: Global Wind Patterns
This site from NASA lists and defines global wind patterns. It features a graphic of these patterns and a self-test with answers.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Effect of Atmospheric Circulation on Climate
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how atmospheric circulation cells affect the climate of regions.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how heat is transferred in the atmosphere.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The 1991/1992 Drought
This site from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research offers information on drought and global climate conditions, with an explanation of the trade winds.
PBS
Nova: A Five Day View of the Jet Stream
This animated 5 day forecast for the jet stream shows wind direction and wind speed. The forecast was generated on January 1, 2001 by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
Other
Stormfax: El Nino Glossary
This site offers definitions for terms related to El Nino, including information on southern oscillation and its relationship to the trade winds.
Other
National Pollutant Inventory: Background Information
This site focuses on water and air pollution in Australia, with a brief mention of sea breezes.
Other
Unep/siem D2 Weather
This site offers information on the effects of weather on islands. There is some mention of sea breezes.