From Global to local climates

Question 1

Four main areas include:

Answer 1

Four main areas include: Arctic (and Antarctic), Polar, Tropical, and Equatorial, and these are further subdivided into continental and maritime.

Question 2

Subtropics weather cell

Answer 2

They are located under the descending arm of the Hadley cell circulation of the tropics, and hence link the upper and lower atmosphere. As air descends it gets warmer and drier, but in these regions its descent is restricted by the layer of cool oceanic air below. This combination gives rise to very stable atmospheric conditions.

Question 3

Middle latitudes weather

Answer 3

In the middle latitudes, anticyclones often develop as a result of convergence in the upper westerlies, particularly where the waves in those westerlies have a large amplitude. The surface anticyclones may intensify within the usual depression tracks, diverting the cyclones from their normal routes and giving rise to exceptional patterns of weather. Blocking anticyclones are most frequent over north-west Europe and the north Pacific.

Question 4

Depressions are

Answer 4

Depressions are the pressure systems responsible for the sudden swings in temperature from hot to cold or vice versa as air masses change. Depression formation doesn’t need a polar front but rather a zone of strong temperature gradient known as a baroclinic zone.

Question 5

Depressions work:

Answer 5

The depression also extends up into the atmosphere. The low pressure centre represents a complex column of rising air. The flow around the ridges and troughs is not always in equilibrium with the pressure gradients. Where air moves out of the trough it accelerates; as it approaches a trough it slows dow. The air moving away from the trough draws air from the lower atmosphere, causing a reduction in surface pressure. Thus air is seen to converge at the ground within the depression, rise upwards then diverge as it flows away from the trough.

Question 6

Tropical cyclone

Answer 6

This system is not large, instead consisting of a small, intense, revolving storm with cloud bands spiralling away from its centre, usually consisting of heavy squalls of rain, thunderstorms and even tornadoes.