The roaring fourties, furious fifties and screaming sixties
These are regions of the southern ocean between the 40 and 50 degrees, 50 and 60 degrees and 60 and 70 degrees latitude known for their extreme winter storms.
Map with the three wind regions (x)
These westerly winds have less land mass to slow them down, as beyond a certain point, dry land becomes a rarity. The difference in temperature between the Antarctic ice and water creates turbulence, which in turn results in intense depressions. The winds range from 15 to 25 knots, reaching speeds that can be dangerous for captains. Extreme weather conditions add to the danger, with waves regularly reaching heights of 10 metres at these latitudes. And icebergs are are more common the further south you go.
They get their names from the wind sounds and wind speeds.
