atmospheric circulation Flashcards
what is atmospheric circulation
Global scale movement of the layer of air surrounding the earth
what are the components of air
78% Nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% other gases
explain what happens during atmospheric circulation
- warm air from the equators rises up, moves towards the poles and then descends over colder regions
- cold air drops in altitude and moves from poles towards equator.
what is the coriolis effect
objects deflect to the right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern because of the rotation and the gravitational pull
describes how Earth’s rotation steers winds and surface ocean currents.
what are prevailing winds
major atmospheric currents that blow in a given direction according to global patterns.
what are air masses
when masses of air remain in a certain region for a long time, they acquire the temp. and humidity of that region
what is a front
line where 2 air masses meet
what is a cold front
cold air mass blown into warm air mass
consequences of cold front
brings wind and heavy rain/snow
what is the warm front
warm air mass blown into cold air mass
what are the consequences of warm front
cloudy weather and rain/snow that lasts for hours
what are anticyclones
high-pressure system, where atmospheric pressure is relatively higher than the air surrounding it.
what type of weather is anticyclone
- prevent forming clouds
- summer is dry and sunny
- winter is cold and clear
which way do northern hemisphere rotate (anticyclone)
clockwise and outward
what are cyclones
A system of winds that are rotating inwards to an area of low pressure
