<P> The trade winds ( also called trades ) are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics near the Earth 's equator , equatorward of the subtropical ridge . These winds blow predominantly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere . The trade winds act as the steering flow for tropical cyclones that form over world 's oceans , guiding their path westward . Trade winds also steer African dust westward across the Atlantic Ocean into the Caribbean sea , as well as portions of southeast North America . </P>
<P> The trade winds ( also called trades ) are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics near the Earth 's equator , equatorward of the subtropical ridge . These winds blow predominantly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere . The trade winds act as the steering flow for tropical cyclones that form over world 's oceans , guiding their path westward . Trade winds also steer African dust westward across the Atlantic Ocean into the Caribbean sea , as well as portions of southeast North America . </P>
what is the prevalent wind flow in the tropics
what is the prevalent wind flow in the tropics
easterly surface winds
easterly surface winds