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#113819 10/16/03 08:45 PM
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sjmaxq Offline OP
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#113820 10/17/03 05:24 AM
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Perhaps things have changed, but I was under the impression that the trade winds blew over the Atlantic.

Bingley


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#113821 10/17/03 05:55 AM
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The World Book Encyclopedia says about trade winds:
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Trade wind is a strong wind that blows toward the equator from the northeast or southeast. In the days of sailing ships, sailors depended greatly on trade winds. The paths of these winds were so regular, especially over the oceans, that early navigators named them trade winds, which meant course, or track, winds. The trade winds are part of a great system of winds that blow over the earth. They blow toward the equator from about the 30th parallels of north and south latitude.

Differences between the temperature in low latitudes and the temperature in the polar regions cause trade winds. The heating of the air in low latitudes makes it expand and become light. Then it rises. This creates an area of low pressure near the surface. Cooler and heavier air from higher latitudes then tends to flow in to fill the area of low pressure. These polar winds do not blow due north or due south because of the eastward whirling of the earth. Instead, these winds blow from the northeast and from the southeast.

The belt of rising air between the trade winds is a region of mild winds and calms. This region is often called the doldrums because it is so calm. Sailing ships of early days were often stranded for many weeks in the doldrums. Trade winds have a great deal to do with rainfall on land. When trade winds blow against mountain ranges, they are forced upward. As the warm air rises, it cools. Its moisture condenses and falls as rain on the mountain slopes.
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No mention of the winds being specific to one ocean.


#113822 10/18/03 02:01 AM
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Status of the tradewinds is always part of the local weather reporting here in Hawaii. When the trades don't blow, the otherwise ideal climate turns a bit uncomfortable.


#113823 10/18/03 01:20 PM
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When the trades don't blow, the otherwise ideal climate turns a bit uncomfortable.

What, gets up to 73°F? Down to 69°F?


#113824 10/18/03 01:50 PM
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actually i'd expect the opposite, that the temperture rises, along with the humidity.. and it gets to be 'tropical' 90+º(35+º C) with 90% humidity.

I would think that the trade winds keep cool breezes flowing, and the moving air is lower in humidity, so you feel comfortable (90º), but cool at the same time!
just WAG, since i have never been there.


#113825 10/18/03 07:02 PM
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>the otherwise ideal climate


Indeed. I once saw a documentary on Polynesia which taught me two interesting things: Aotearoa is as large as the rest of all Polynesian islands put together, and Hawaii had the largest population of any Polynesian group prior to the arrival of Europeans. The climate was specifically mentioned as a major reason for the large population.


#113826 10/18/03 11:25 PM
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"...the temperture rises, along with the humidity."

Helen is correct. When we are uncomfortable, it's almost always due to high humidity caused by the absence of the tradewinds. The TV weatherguessers then give two temperatures: actual and perceived (the latter is not disseminated outside the state for fear tourism might be affected). Our other weather-based discomfort (besides hurricanes) is the periodic appearance of "vog", which appears when winds from the direction of the Big Island of Hawaii(Kona winds) blow the volcanic gases our way and give us smog-like conditions.


#113827 10/18/03 11:53 PM
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it's ok, Fald, I got it...



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