Pressure and Wind
pressure: isobars, pressure gradient; pressure gradient force, coriolis force, surface friction;
regional patterns: cyclone, low pressure, ccw, inward, convergent; anticyclone, high pressure, outward, divergent
Global circulation cells, warm air rises, cold air sinks: equatorial low (ITCZ, doldrums), sub-tropical high (horse latitudes), sub-polar low (polar front), polar high;
Global winds: High to low pressure (perpendicular to isobars), coriolis effect: polar easterlies, westerlies, trade winds, doldrums
monsoon - land is warmer than ocean so air rises and creates Low P, pulls in moisture
El Nino, Global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion
Explain how pressure gradient, coriolis force, and surface friction determine the direction and speed of wind.
Describe the wind patterns around a cyclone and an anti-cyclone. How and why are they different? Why are the wind directions different near the ground than they are in the upper atmosphere?
Describe how temperature differences drive the global atmospheric circulation patterns of the Earth. How does this influence the distribution of high and low pressure zones on the Earth. Where are the high and low pressure zones and what are their names? Why do they occur in these locations?
Describe the major wind system on the Earth. How are they influenced by the pressure zones? What directions do they blow? Why? What are their names? Be able to draw these wind systems on a map.
How are global pressure and wind zones affected by seasons? What are Rossby waves? How do they influence our weather? Why is the weather in Tahoe more seasonally affected than southern California?
Explain what wavelengths are absorbed by greenhouse gases and the source of these wavelengths. Explain what wavelengths are absorbed by ozone and the source of these waves. What factors have caused changes in greenhouse gases? in ozone? How do these factors affect global warming? What other factors influence global warming?
Describe El Nino and how it forms. How does it affect weather on the west coast of N. America and on the east coast of Asia?