The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Winds are broadly classified into three categories based on their periodicity and area of influence: permanent (primary), seasonal (secondary), and local (tertiary) winds. Permanent winds are characterized by their extensive coverage and consistency throughout the year.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Permanent winds blow constantly throughout the year in a particular direction. They do not blow only during specific months. Winds that change their direction seasonally or blow only during specific times of the year (such as Monsoons) are classified as seasonal or periodic winds.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The major types of permanent winds include the Trade Winds (Easterlies), the Westerlies, and the Polar Easterlies. These winds originate due to the presence of permanent high and low-pressure belts on the Earth's surface and the rotation of the Earth.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Permanent winds are also referred to as planetary winds or prevailing winds because they involve the general circulation of the atmosphere over the entire globe. They play a crucial role in the transport of heat and moisture across latitudes.
Key Takeaway: Permanent or planetary winds (Trade Winds, Westerlies, Polar Easterlies) blow continuously throughout the year in a fixed direction, driven by the global pressure belts.