global hazards Flashcards
where does air circulation occur?
between high and low pressure belts as surface winds
how are winds caused?
changes in air pressure
how are changes in air pressure caused
changes in temperature between the poles and equator
atmospheric circulation;
sun heats equator causing air to rise
the air cools as it moves to 30 degrees north and south, then it sinks to the ground
some goes back as trade winds other winds blow towards the poles (westerlies)
60• north and south the warm surface winds meet colder air rises as less dense creates low pressure
some air moves back but some goes to the poles where it cools and sinks and is drawn back through surface winds
what are trade winds?
air moving back to the equator
what are westerlies?
air moving to the poles
what are cells
air circulation between high and low pressure belts
what are characteristics of temperate climates?
moderate summers and winters
low pressure belt around 60 degrees north with 2 cells meeting caused a lot of rainfall
between 60-30 degrees
polar climate characteristics:
low temp all year
60+ degrees north and south
tropical characteristics:
hot all the time
high rainfall due to 2 cells meeting causing low pressure
arid characteristics:
low rainfall
30degrees n/s
hot and warm
sun king air from 2 cells with high pressure and low rainfall
what does low pressure and sinking air cause?
few clouds
little to block suns energy
what are the temperatures like in polar climate?
low all year round
how does precipitation occur
when warm air cools and condenses
where does precipitation normally occur?
low pressure belts causing intense rainfall
