10: General Circulation
- Page ID
- 46097
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Alison Nugent and David DeCou
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Describe the differential heating Earth experiences, and how heat is redistributed
- Diagram vertical atmospheric circulations (Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, Polar cell)
- Diagram surface wind directions (trade winds, belt of westerlies, etc.)
- Discuss the distribution of heat over Earth’s surface and how it drives global circulation, including its connection to the Coriolis force
- 10.1: Introduction
- This page discusses Earth's wind circulations, highlighting the influence of atmospheric forces and temperature differentials on air pressure. It examines consistent wind patterns, including westerly winds in the continental U.S. and northeasterly winds in Hawai’i. The general circulation model is presented, demonstrating global heat and momentum transport from the equator to the poles.
- 10.2: Differential Heating
- This page explains how Earth's curvature impacts solar energy distribution, causing increased intensity at the equator and cooler temperatures at the poles. This results in warmer tropics and cooler polar regions, which affect global atmospheric circulation. Despite ongoing energy loss through infrared radiation, the tropics have a net surplus while poles cool down.
- 10.3: Single-Cell Model
- This page discusses the single-cell model of global circulation, which assumes a uniform, water-covered Earth without seasons or Coriolis effects, leading to one large Hadley cell per hemisphere. It describes the process of warm air rising at the equator and cold air sinking at the poles, establishing pressure differences.
- 10.4: Three-Cell Model
- This page explains the three-cell model of atmospheric circulation on a rotating Earth, detailing the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. It describes how warm air rises at the equator, resulting in low pressure and trade winds, alongside high-pressure systems formed at 30° latitude due to descending air. Additionally, it discusses polar easterlies, the polar front, and how air masses interact to create weather.
- 10.5: Global Surface Winds
- This page explains global surface wind patterns, such as polar easterlies, mid-latitude westerlies, and tropical trade winds. It highlights the significance of visualizing these winds in relation to continents and land masses to grasp their distribution and impact on Earth's atmosphere.
- 10.6: Jet streams
- This page explains jet streams, focusing on the subtropical and polar jets in the Northern Hemisphere. The polar jet, found at 50° to 60° latitude, is influenced by temperature differences between polar and subtropical air, strengthening in winter. The subtropical jet is located around 30° latitude.