Global atmospheric circulation and weather Flashcards
What does the global circulation control?
- Temperature
- Rainfall distributions
- Prevailing winds
- Creation of distinctive climate zones
What is Global Atmospheric Circulation?
The transfer of heat from the equator to the piles by the movement of air
What do surface winds do
Move from high to low pressure, transferring heat and moisture from one area to another
Why does air move
Because of the difference in air pressure-wind blows from high pressure to low pressure
What are trade winds
A type of wind
Blows along the surface from high pressure belts to low pressure belts
What is a jet stream
A type of wind
flows high overhead and causes changes in the wind and pressure at that level.
What are prevailing winds
A type of wind
Winds from the most common direction in any given place
What are katabatic winds
A type of wind
Heavy air flowing downwards
Fact
Tropical winds and tornadoes have very strong rotating winds
Fact 2 ig
Solar insolation heats the earths surface and is strongest where it is focoused on low lattitudes
What is the Albedo effect
A factor affecting temperature
an expression of the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight (heat from the sun
White polar snow refelcts the suns rays(high albedo)
Dark green tropical rainforests absorb the suns rays (Low albedo)
How do winds and oceans affect temperature
Winds and ocrean currents redistribute heat around the planet
What is precipitation
Moisture falling from the atmosphere.
Areas of low pressure have rising air and so high precipitation
Areas of high pressure have decending air and so low precipitation
What is precipitation caused by
Warm air (containing water vapour) rising,cooling,and condesning into clouds.
What is convectional
A type of precipitation
Intense insoloation heating the ground and air above it
