ANTICYCLONES

Question 1

Define an anticyclone
How does air move within a high?

Answer 1

A region of high pressure, winds circulate anti-clockwise (SH).
Divergence at the surface and air converges & subsides from above

Question 2

Draw the three main anticyclones in the general global circulation

Answer 2

met book pg 190

Question 3

How is the belt of sub-tropical anticyclones formed (30deg S)

Answer 3

Gen circulation is a poleward flow from the tropics in the high troposphere.
Air cools & converges, starts to descend as it goes south, sinks to SFC at 25-30deg south = high pressure at the surface.
mean position of the belt shifts a little with the seasons.

Question 4

What else can contribute to the development of a surface high?

Answer 4

Increase in absolute vorticity which increases convergence aloft and within the jetstream = enhances downward motion & therefore high pressure at the surface.