General Circulation of the Atmosphere Current Weather Finish Energy Wind Essentials Idealized Global Circulation Seasonal and Regional Modification For Next Class: Bring questions Reminder: Exam I on Monday! Review Sheet is posted on AsUlearn.
Temperature Where is the coldest location in the world likely to be in January? Why? In July? Why? Which location has the greatest annual temperature range? Why?
January Temperatures Figure 5.14
July Temperatures Figure 5.17
Global Temperature Ranges Figure 5.19
What is Wind?
What is Wind? Horizontal movement of air Moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure Above the surface, winds are geostrophic (parallel to isobars) and result from a combination of two forces: Pressure Gradient Force (High to Low) Coriolis Effect (Right in NH, Left in SH)
Pressure Gradient Figure 6.7
Coriolis Force Figure 6.9
Upper Level Winds What are the two forces that influence wind direction in the upper levels of the troposphere (i.e., above 12,000 ft or ~600 mb)?
Surface Winds What are the three forces that influence wind direction at the surface?
Energy Budget by Latitude Figure 4.13
Idealized Global Circulation Model ITCZ – Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone STHP – Sub-Tropical High Pressure SPLP – Sub-Polar Low Pressure PHP – Polar High Pressure
Seasonal Patterns Location of the sun’s noon-time vertical rays (i.e., where the sun is directly overhead) helps to control the position of the ITCZ Northern Hemisphere summer, ITCZ and all of the wind and pressure belts migrate to the north North Hemisphere winter, ITCZ and all of the wind and pressure belts migrate to the south
General Atmospheric Circulation Figure 6.12
General Atmospheric Circulation Figure 6.12
Global Barometric Pressure Figure 6.10
Global Barometric Pressure Figure 6.10
June–July ITCZ Figure 6.11
Rossby Waves Figure 6.16
Location of Polar Front and Sub-Polar Low Pressure
Blizzard of 1993
Jet Streams Figure 6.17
Mountain-Valley Breezes Figure 6.19
Monsoonal Winds Figure 6.20
Major Ocean Currents Figure 6.21