Which direction would the prevailing winds be in Canada without the Coriolis Effect?

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The prevailing winds in Canada, without the influence of the Coriolis Effect, would primarily follow a simple pattern dictated by the intense thermal contrasts between land and ocean, as well as pressure differences. The dominant atmospheric circulation in the mid-latitudes, where Canada is located, is characterized by winds blowing from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

In this context, the normal expectation would be that these winds would travel from the equator towards the poles. This movement is primarily northward in Canada, hence a northerly direction is observed. The Coriolis Effect, caused by the rotation of the Earth, alters this direct path, resulting in the typical westerly winds that actually dominate as the air is deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere.

Therefore, without the Coriolis Effect, the prevailing winds in Canada would be primarily directed towards the north, as they move from lower latitudes (the warmer, more equatorial regions) to the colder, high-latitude regions. In summary, the correct answer reflects the fundamental atmospheric movements that would occur in the absence of the Earth's rotational influences.

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