Why do mid latitude cyclones move from west to east
Mid latitude cyclones, also known as extratropical cyclones, typically move from west to east due to the prevailing westerly winds in the middle latitudes. These winds are part of the global atmospheric circulation patterns known as the westerlies, which blow from west to east at mid-latitudes (around 30 to 60 degrees latitude).
The westerlies are a result of the Coriolis effect, a phenomenon caused by the rotation of the Earth. As air moves from high pressure to low pressure, it gets deflected due to the Coriolis effect, causing it to curve rather than move in a straight line. In the Northern Hemisphere, this deflection causes the air to move to the right of its initial path, creating a west-to-east flow.
Mid latitude cyclones are formed along boundaries between warm and cold air masses, known as fronts. They develop when warm air rises and cold air sinks, creating a pressure gradient that results in the "spinning" motion characteristic of cyclones. The westerly winds then help to steer these cyclones eastward along the jet stream, a high-altitude, fast-moving wind current that is also influenced by the Coriolis effect.
Overall, the movement of mid-latitude cyclones from west to east is a result of the combination of the prevailing westerly winds and the influence of the Coriolis effect, along with the presence of temperature gradients and pressure systems in the middle latitudes.