What Is Prevailing Winds. Since the atmosphere is fixed to the earth by gravity and rotates with the earth, there would be no circulation if some force did not upset the atmosphere's equilibrium. Areas where prevailing winds meet are called convergence zones.

Due to factors such as uneven heating from the sun and the earth’s rotation, these winds vary at different latitudes on earth. Map by kaidor, courtesy wikimedia and nasa. Convection cells circulate air flow and help regulate temperature around the globe.