Horizontal Pressure Variation and Atmospheric Circulation

These flashcards cover the concepts of horizontal pressure variations, cyclones, anticyclones, and related atmospheric dynamics.

What causes low pressure at the surface in equatorial regions?

Air at the surface warms, expands, decreases in density, and rises.

What is the result of cool air at the surface in polar regions?

The volume decreases, density increases, and air sinks, resulting in high pressure.

What type of pressure is associated with rising air?

Lower pressure.

What type of pressure is associated with sinking air?

Higher pressure.

What is a cyclone?

An area where air is rising, associated with convergent wind circulation.

How does a cyclone rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?

Counter-clockwise.

What is an anticyclone?

An area where air is descending, associated with divergent wind circulation.

How does an anticyclone rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?

Clockwise.

What happens at subpolar lows?

They result from the collision of opposing winds, causing air to rise.

How do subtropical highs form?

They result from dynamic air motion related to the sinking of convectional cells initiated at the equatorial low.