Plain English Meaning

Across most of the United States and other mid-latitude regions, the wind tends to blow from west to east most of the time. This is the normal large-scale flow of air in those latitudes.

Full Definition

The dominant wind pattern in the mid-latitudes (roughly 30° to 60° north and south) that flows generally from west to east. These winds result from the combination of large-scale atmospheric circulation and the deflection caused by Coriolis force acting on air moving between the subtropical high-pressure belts and the polar regions.

Context Anchor

Seen in weather theory, flight planning, and discussions of why many weather systems in the United States tend to move from west to east.