ERTH 20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Coriolis Force, Solar Irradiance, Folklore
Document Summary
Oceans warm and cool more slowly and to a lesser degree than do landmasses. Maritime areas experience milder temperatures than continental areas in both summer and winter. Oceans are also a much more abundant source of atmospheric moisture than land. Maritime climates are normally more humid than continental climates. A semipermanent pattern of major wind and pressure systems dominates the troposphere and greatly influences most elements of weather and climate. General circulation of the oceans the oceans have many minor motions, but they also have a broad general pattern of currents. These currents assist in heat transfer by moving warm water poleward and cool water equatorward. Altitude temperature, pressure, and moisture content generally decrease upward in the troposphere and under the influence of the control of altitude. Mountains and large hills sometimes have prominent effects on one or more elements of climate by diverting wind flow. All storms create specialized weather circumstances and so are considered to be a control.