GGR202H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 57: Intertropical Convergence Zone, Polar Vortex, Thunderstorm
Document Summary
Weather: specifies atmospheric conditions over short time periods and small geographic areas. Climate: describes patterns of average atmospheric conditions across large geographic regions and long periods of time. Low-pressure zone leads to convergence at the surface; divergence aloft. High-pressure zone leads to divergence at the surface convergence aloft. H to l (bigger change: higher winds. Air, ocean water: nothing pushing on the air, yet the air is moving in a direction, only discernible in motions over long distances and times. In the northern hemisphere and freely moving object will deflect to the right. In the southern hemisphere and freely moving object will deflect to the left. Wind direction is the result of a balance between the pressure gradient and coriolis forces: The pressure gradient is encouraging the air to move into the middle of the circle (high to low) The coriolis force is trying to make it go to the right.