Which winds blow east to west across the equator and contribute to warming the Pacific Ocean?

The trade winds are the correct choice because they are the prevailing winds that blow from east to west across the equator. These winds originate from the subtropical high-pressure areas where air descends and moves towards the equator. As they travel, the trade winds play a crucial role in the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean currents.

In the context of the Pacific Ocean, the trade winds help warm the ocean surface by pushing warm water westward, which can lead to various climatic phenomena, including El Niño and La Niña. The consistent east-to-west flow of these winds contributes to the distribution of warm water across the ocean, affecting global weather patterns.

Other options, such as polar winds, westerlies, and jet streams, have different characteristics and directions of flow that do not align with the east-to-west movement across the equator or the specific warming effects on the Pacific Ocean.