WIND
The
mid latitude anticyclones are the main determinants of Australia's 2
main prevailing wind streams:
- In relation to
the west-east axes of the anticyclones these streams are easterly to
the north and westerly to the south. The cycles of development, motion
and decay of low pressure systems to the north and south of the
anticyclones result in diversity of wind flow patterns. Wind variations
are greatest around the coasts where diurnal land and sea breeze
effects are important.
- Orography
affects the prevailing wind pattern in various ways such as channelling
of winds through valleys, deflection by mountains and cold air drainage
from highland areas. For example, channelling determines the high
frequency of northwest winds at Hobart because of the south-east
orientation of the Derwent River Valley.