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1.2 Atmospheric Circulation

1.2 Atmospheric Circulation. Atmospheric circulation : global-scale movement of the layer of air surrounding the Earth. Hot air rises (low density) Cold air falls (high density)

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1.2 Atmospheric Circulation

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  1. 1.2 Atmospheric Circulation • Atmosphericcirculation: global-scale movement of the layer of air surrounding the Earth. • Hot air rises (low density) • Cold air falls (high density) • Air warmed at the equator rises and moves toward the poles. Cold air from the poles is more dense and moves toward the equator = CONVECTION

  2. Coriolis Effect • Similar to ocean currents, the coriolis effect causes wind to deviate to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

  3. PREVAILING WINDS • Major atmospheric currents that blow in a given direction according to global patterns of movement.

  4. Air Masses • Air Mass: A large expanse of the atmosphere with relatively uniform temperature and humidity. • When two air masses meet they do not mix together, cold dense air will slide beneath the light warm air. • The line where two air masses meet is called a front.

  5. Cold front • Advancing cold air meets warm air. • The warm air rises rapidly and cools into thick cumulus cloud. • A cold front results in wind and heavy rain.

  6. Warm Front • Advancing warm air meets cold air • The warm air rises and cools gradually and thin light nimbostratus clouds are formed. • Warm fronts result in long lasting cloudy weather. and showers.

  7. Vertical Air Mass Movement – Anticyclones, Depressions, Cyclones

  8. Anticyclones • Anticyclone (“H”): an area of atmospheric circulation revolving around a high-pressure center. The air turns clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. • Sinking air particles prevent cloud-forming movements, the sky is clear and the weather is stable. Cold air subsiding: anticyclone (“H”)

  9. Depressions • Depression (“L”): an area of atmospheric circulation revolving around a low-pressure centre. The air turns counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. • Violent winds, tropical storms, floods, landslides etc. Warm air rising: Depression (“L”)

  10. Cyclones • Depressions that form in tropical areas that result in violent winds revolving around an area of low pressure.

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