Air Pressure and Weather Cyclones and Anticyclones

High Pressure vs. Low Pressure Think about your ears popping! Why do our ears pop? When do our ears pop?

To release pressure! Air moves in pressure systems very similarly to how the air moves when our ears “pop”!

High and Low Pressure Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2bMX2RnXE

How does air move?!? Air moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure . High Low

Air Pressure and Weather Cyclones An area in the atmosphere that has lower pressure than the surrounding areas. Air masses converge or move together; winds spiral toward the center

Air Pressure and Weather Anticyclones Areas where air diverges or moves apart and sinks. Sinking air is denser than surrounding air. Rotates in a direction opposite to Earth’s rotation.

Pressure Systems vs. Weather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HAth0D0Pt4

Air Pressure and Weather Cyclones form clouds and rain when the rising air cools. Cyclones cause stormy weather. Anticyclones cause dry, clear weather because as the air sinks it gets warmer and absorbs moisture.