This is an image of Saturn in false color.
Click on image for full size
NASA

Saturn's Belts and Zones

The striped cloud bands on Saturn, like Jupiter, are divided into belts and zones.

In a belt, the wind flows very strongly in one direction only. In a zone, the wind flows very strongly in exactly the opposite direction. These kinds of winds are called "zonal winds".

Measurements show that the winds of Saturn, within a belt or a zone can reach 500 m/sec (1100 miles/hour), but are usually 100 m/sec (225 miles/hour). On Earth, the most powerful winds during a hurricane can blow 100 miles per hour. So these winds of Saturn provide for a pretty rough environment.


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