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1
Q

winds in the atmosphere

A

we define a cartesian coordinate system: east is X, north is Y, and up is Z.

east wind is U, north wind is V, upward is W

east is a westerly wind, north is a southerly wind

2
Q

westerlies and easterlies

A
  • westerly means the wind comes from the west and flow towards the east, positive U
  • southerly means the wind comes from the south and flows toward the north, positive V
3
Q

1 nautical mile

A

1 min of latitude = 1.15 statute mi = 1.85 km

4
Q

mean meridional cirulation

A

polar cell near top, then ferrell cell, then hadley cell then ferrel cell, then polar cell near other pole

5
Q

real mean meridional circulations

A
  • mostly one cell from summer to winter hemisphere in solstice seasons
  • in annual mean, S. Hem. cell is larger
  • ITCZ is in NH most of time
6
Q

hadley cell circulation brings…

A

moist (latent energy) and warm (sensible energy) TO THE TROPICS but moves potential energy AWAY FROM THE TROPICS

7
Q

sensible and latent energy is used to…

A

lift air in the ITCZ, converting sensible and latent energy to potential energy

8
Q

sensible energy

A

contained in the brownian motion of molecules of air

9
Q

latent energy

A

contained in water vapor and be released when water vapor condenses

10
Q

potential energy

A

energy available from gravitational acceleration

11
Q

poleward energy transport by atmosphere

A

dry static energy = potential + sensible

12
Q

transport by mid-latitude storms

A

storms (eddies) do most of the transport of sensible and latent heat in midlatitudes (potential is no so important).