Global Winds / Gyres Flashcards
Name the basic types of temperatures from north to south
Polar, temperate, tropical, tropical, temperate, polar
Name the biomes from north to south.
Ice desert, forest, desert, rainforest
desert, forest, ice desert
Name the type of winds from north to south
Polar easterlies, easterlies
Trade wins, trade winds
Easterlies, polar easterlies
Name the major gyres.
North/South Pacific, north/south Atlantic, Indian
Gyres flow from ——- to ——.
High to low pressure
What are Hadley cells?
Located between the equator and about 30° latitude, these cells are driven by intense solar heating. Warm air rises at the equator, moves toward the poles, cools, and then sinks around 30° latitude.
What are ferrel cells?
Found between 30° and 60° latitude, these cells are influenced by the interaction of the Hadley and Polar cells. They typically have a westerly flow in the mid-latitudes, leading to the formation of prevailing westerlies.
What are polar cells?
Located from about 60° latitude to the poles, these cells feature cold air that sinks at the poles, flows toward the equator at the surface, and rises around 60° latitude, creating polar easterlies.
What are jet streams?
Fast-flowing air currents in the upper atmosphere that form at the boundaries between these cells, particularly between the Ferrel and Polar cells.
What are subtropical highs?
a region of high pressure associated with the descending air of the Hadley cells, typically found around 30° latitude. This region contributes to desert formation.
Is hot or cold air denser?
Cold
