The winds aloft in the middle latitudes would not blow from the west if the ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The westerlies in the middle latitudes are caused by the temperature difference between the equator and the poles. The equator receives more direct sunlight than the poles, causing the air to be warmer and rise, leaving a low-pressure area. The poles receive less direct sunlight, causing the air to be cooler and sink, forming high-pressure areas. The air flows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. Therefore, if the air over high latitudes becomes warmer than over the equator, the normal westerly winds in the middle latitudes would not blow from the west.

The Winds Aloft in the Middle Latitudes Would Not Blow