Lecture 14 - Atmospheric Pressure and Wind (10.24.24)

Atmospheric Circulation

The large-scale movement of air that redistributes heat and energy in the atmosphere.

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

A force that causes air to move from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure.

Coriolis Force

The effect of the Earth's rotation that causes moving air to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Friction (in context of wind)

A force that acts to slow down wind speed but does not directly change its direction.

Resultant Winds

Winds that result from the balance between pressure gradient force, Coriolis force, and friction.

Upper-Level Winds (winds aloft)

Winds that occur high above the surface, influenced mainly by pressure gradient and Coriolis forces, and generally faster due to reduced friction.

Beaufort Wind Scale

A scale that relates wind speed to observed effects, used to describe wind conditions without instruments.

Wind Vane

An instrument used to measure wind direction.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure wind speed.

Pressure Gradient

The rate at which pressure changes in a given direction, influencing wind strength and direction.