global atmospheric circulation Flashcards
weather
day to day condition of the atmosphere
e.g the UK can have a day of tropical weather but it does not have a tropical climate
climate
the long term average of the weather condition
general circulation model
this shows how air moves around the world
air circulates in each hemisphere in three cells known as polar ,ferrel and hadley
what do the winds cause
the winds are caused by the sun moving warming air more intensely from the equator and this warm air moves north and south, to the poles
what does warm air do
it rises at the equator travels North and sinks around 30 *n. it then travels back to the equator this is the hadley cell
what happens when air sinks
this is high pressure zones
you get clear skies temperature can be warm or cold.
air sinks at North Pole and South Pole.
at high pressure winds on the group move outwards from these areas.
what happens when air rises
this is low pressure
plenty of clouds because the warm air rises cools and condenses to make clouds
warm air rises. Air rises at the equator
At areas of low pressure winds on the ground move towards theses areas to fill the space left by the rising air
The UK cloudy and wet deciduous forest
warm air from south and cold air from north meets over the UK causing unfortunately clouds and rain due to the warm air condensing.
winds from south West traveled through the Atlantic ocean. this brings wet warm weather
cold air from north moves down south to the UK bring snowy winter cold weather
Northern Egypt hot and dry desert
most deserts are found at 30*n n and s the equator where air is sinking and pressure is high
few clouds so not much rain fall
lack of clouds make it hot at daytime but cold at night
northern Brazil hot and humid tropical rain forest
at the equator air is rising this is a low pressure zone. this suns rays are most intense at the equator so it will be more hotter than the UK
Hot rising air cools and condenses to form lots of cloud and rain it is often rainy in these locations
extra but tres importante!
what are the steps to a hurricane
1)at the start of the tropical storm the temperature and air pressure falls
air rises and clouds begins to form. it becomes windy
2) as the tropical storm continues the air pressure falls more rapidly winds increase and cumulonimbus clouds from causing heavy rain
3) There is a period of calm with no wind or rain at the eye of the storm. the sun appears so it gets warmer. Air pressure is very low
4) wind and heavy rainfall increase a lot again the temperature drops and air pressure begins to rise
5) As the tropical storm ends the air pressure and the temperature rise.
wind and rainfall subside
parts of hurricane
beyond eye wall- you will still find clouds here. tornadoes
eye of storm- calm conditions, due to cold air sinking to the ground.
eye wall- tall black clouds lots of evaporation and condensation to create clouds.
further away from eye- heavy rain, thunder
step 1 to tropical storm
the sun warms the ocean to 27oc causing evaporation
step 2 to tropical storm
the moist wet warm air rises rapidly causing low pressure condition
step 3 to tropical storms
air rises and cools and condenses the rising air draws in more moisture from the ocean causing strong winds
