ASTRON 105 Study Guide - Thermohaline Circulation, Intertropical Convergence Zone, Pressure-Gradient Force
26 Feb 2014
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Document Summary
Hadley cells develop because the equatorial and tropical regions are heated more intensely than the higher latitudes, causing thermal circulations. These loops drive the northeast and southeast trade winds, the convergence and lifting of air at the intertropical convergence zone (itcz), and the sinking and divergence of air in the subtropical high-pressure belts. Surface air moving poleward from the subtropical highs forms the midlatitude westerlies. The polar front forms where this warm subtropical air meets the cold, dry air moving equatorward out of the polar highs. The ideal circulation over the earth is modified by the seasonal changes in land sea temperature contrasts. These contrasts produce monsoon circulations over low-latitude continents. In addition, they produce seasonal changes in the midlatitude circulations over the northern hemisphere continents and oceans. Winds in the atmosphere are dominated by a global pressure gradient force between the tropics and pole in each hemisphere.
