Prevailing winds are the consistent, dominant wind patterns that occur in specific regions of the Earth. They are primarily caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun, which creates areas of high and low pressure. These winds generally blow from specific directions and can influence climate and weather patterns in different areas. In the Northern Hemisphere, prevailing winds typically blow from the west, known as the westerlies, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they also blow from the west but can be affected by the Coriolis effect. Understanding prevailing winds is essential for navigation, agriculture, and predicting weather changes.