Global Atmospheric Circulation 🌏🔄 Flashcards
1
Q
What is GAC?
A
Transfer of heat from the equator to the poles by the movement of air
2
Q
Why does air move?
A
Due to differences in air pressure - wind blows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas
3
Q
How is the GAC system divided?
A
Loops (called cells) - each cell has warm rising air that creates a low pressure belt and cool sinking air that creates a high pressure belt. Each hemisphere has 3 belts.
4
Q
How does GAC affect weather around the world?
A
- equator: sun is directly overhead - lots of solar radiation; hot. Warm, moist air rises and forms clouds, lots of rain
- by the time air reaches 30º north and south of the equator, it has released most of its moisture as rain. Dry air = little rain, deserts found here
- UK lies close to the low pressure zone at 60º north. Warm rising air = clouds = rain. Westerly winds.
