Forces That Create the Prevailing Westerly Winds in the Midlatitudes

The forces that create the prevailing westerly winds in the midlatitudes include

1. Coriolis force.
2. Anticyclones and cyclone forces in the midlatitudes.
3. Forces from ocean currents and atmospheric circulations.
4. Forces from Rossby waves.

The above forces are highly linked to the prevailing westerly winds in the mid-latitudes. The rotation of the earth causes Coriolis forces to result in a large area occupied by west winds at the middle latitude (Rohli et al. 193). The forces cause warm air currents to rise to the right in the northern hemisphere and the left in the southern hemisphere. This ensures that the winds move in a certain direction, and specifically in a west-to-east direction in mid-latitude, causing prevailing westerlies. Among the climatic forces are the anticyclone, also referred to as high-pressure systems, and the cyclone, which aids in the formation of the westerlies (Okajima et al. 1). They create a pressure difference that drives wind masses from high-pressure places to low-pressure regions, developing the prevailing westerly winds.

Ocean currents and the circulation of the atmosphere also regulate the westerly wind in the middle latitude zone. They produce forces between the land and the surface of the sea, which in turn develop and determine the pressure difference. This fosters air flow to generate mid-latitude westerly winds. Rossby waves are referred to as planetary waves, and due to their nature as long waves, they take place at mid-latitudes, causing westerly winds (Son et al. 2). Observing the process, it becomes possible to notice that Rossby waves can form meanders and undulations along the stream, resulting in the formation of high-pressure ridges and low valleys up to the clipping of the westerly winds. The waves may either cause or intensify the predominant westerly winds in the mid-latitudes.