GEOG 131 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6.8-6.11, 6.13B: Atmospheric Circulation, Polar Front, Thermocline
Document Summary
Walker cell circulation- pattern of east-west equatorial atmospheric circulation, initiated by warm air rising above warm pools. Thermocline- de ned layer where temperatures cool rapidly with depth. Enso (el nino southern oscillation: neutral (sst average) Warm, unstable, rising air over the western equatorial: warm (el ni o)- warmer in the eastern paci c, colder in the western paci c. Warm pool and associated convective rainfall move toward the central paci c. Weaker walker cell circulation: cold (la nina)- colder west of south america, warmer west paci c. Increases winds aloft and cause near surface easterly trade winds to strengthen. Teleconnections- when atmospheric conditions in one region affect a distant region: caused by interactions with subtropical and polar front jet streams, effects of enso spread through hadley cells. Thursday, october 26, 2017: variability in pressure difference between the two pressure centers. When greater than normal, it is the positive phase. When less than normal, it is the negative phase.
