This is a drawing of Jupiter's belts and zones.
Click on image for full size
NASA

Jupiter's Belts and Zones

The striped cloud bands on Jupiter are certainly not as straight as they appear to be in this picture!

The picture shows that the striped pattern is divided into belts and zones. The belts and zones of Jupiter are labeled in the picture.

In a belt, the winds flow in one direction. In a zone, the winds blow in the opposite direction. The cloud tops are higher in a belt, and lower in a zone.

Measurements show that the winds of Jupiter, within a belt or a zone are usually 225 miles/hour! These speeds provide for a pretty rough environment.

(Earth has a similar but much weaker pattern of belts and zones.)


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