SSC GD 2023 PYQ — Question 39

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Subtropical high pressure zone of the northern hemisphere

The term "trade winds" or "easterlies" refers to the predominant east-to-west winds that blow in the equatorial regions of the planet.

• In the winter and during the warm phase of the Arctic oscillation, the trade winds are strongest and originate primarily from the northeast in the northern hemisphere and the southeast in the southern hemisphere.
• In the northern hemisphere, they are referred to as the northeast trade winds since they originate in that direction.
• In the southern hemisphere, they are referred to as the southeast trade winds because of their southeasterly direction of travel.
• The equator is not affected by the trade winds right away.
• They deflect because of the Earth's rotation.
• The trade winds originate in subtropical high-pressure zones and blow towards the equatorial low-pressure belt.
• Because of this, they are limited to the area between 30°N and 30°S on the surface of the globe.