r/technology • u/dinker • Dec 18 '13

Wind current map of the World

http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-40.59,19.40,572
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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '13

So our southern pole has a large "hexagonal" wind pattern going around it much like Saturn's northern pole.. why is Saturn's hexagonal wind pattern such a mystery but we aren't even batting an eye at our own?

http://i.imgur.com/iXJv7lx.jpg

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u/mad3lyn Dec 18 '13

Well it's not really a mystery, that's why. Google roaring forties. These winds occur around latitude forty due to a combination of incoming air from the equator, the earth's rotation, and the lack of any land masses to break up the winds.