Model of Generalized Planetary Wind Belts in the Troposphere · Earth and Space Sciences Reference Tables (ESSRT)
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The Model of Generalized Planetary Wind Belts in the Troposphere from the Reference Tables for Earth and Space Sciences (ESSRT) shows the global pattern of winds, pressure belts and convection cells in Earth's lower atmosphere. It primarily supports HS-ESS2-8.
What the planetary wind belts model shows
The globe is marked with latitude from 90° N to 90° S. Arrows show the prevailing surface winds: the northeast and southeast trade winds, which meet at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the equator, and the westerlies in the middle latitudes. Zones of high (H) and low (L) pressure are marked, including the subtropical highs near 30° north and south, along with the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the polar front and subtropical jet streams. Along the edge of the globe, loops show the Hadley, Ferrel and polar cells, with rising and descending air identified in the key. A note states that the patterns shift seasonally.
Regents Exam Questions
Released Regents questions that cannot be answered without this table, listed by exam. Each link opens the question with its answer key; the standard is the one the question assesses. The exams through August 2026 were given with the earlier edition of the ESSRT, which has the same table.