Persistent low-latitude surface winds with a westward component, associated with the lower branch of the Hadley cell. Their weakening or reversal in the equatorial Pacific can excite equatorial Kelvin waves that contribute to the development of El Niño.
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Trade winds are steady, recurring winds that predominantly blow from east to west in the tropics and subtropics, between approximately 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude. These winds are primarily produced by the Earth’s rotation and the differential heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun. The trade winds are part of the larger global wind system and are crucial for maritime navigation, as they historically guided sailing ships across the oceans.