Random variability of wind patterns

[Blenton]

I've been wondering lately why the air currents don't travel in the same direction. The Earth spins constantly and each side is given roughly equal irradiance from the sun, so why does the wind not simply follow this direction (on a macro scale) of heat input? Instead it seems to mix quite randomly around the globe.

 

[matthyaouw]

It may seem chaotic at a casual glance but it does follow large scale patterns. see here http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7p.html

Don't forget there'll be local variations too, for example winds created by the rates different land/water surfaces heat in the sun.

 

[Huyen401]

There are a few reasons why air currents don't all travel in the same direction. First, the Earth's rotation and the sun's irradiance are not the only factors that affect wind patterns. The Earth's topography, such as mountains and oceans, also play a big role in shaping wind patterns.

Additionally, the Earth's atmosphere is a complex system with many different layers and interactions. These layers can create pockets of different air pressures and temperatures, which can cause winds to move in different directions.

Another important factor is the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation. This effect causes winds to curve instead of moving in a straight line, which can contribute to the mixing of air currents.

Overall, the movement of air currents is a result of a combination of many different factors, and it is not as simple as just following the direction of heat input.