Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Patterns

Set of flashcards covering key concepts regarding atmospheric circulation, including Hadley Cells, ITCZ, Geostrophic winds, and Santa Ana winds.

What is a Hadley Cell?

A three-dimensional atmospheric circulation cell located at roughly 0 to 30° North and South of the equator, consisting of rising air at the equator and descending air at subtropical highs.

What does ITCZ stand for and what is its significance?

ITCZ stands for Intertropical Convergence Zone, which is a zone of low atmospheric pressure and ascending air located at or near the equator.

What factors lead to rising air currents in the ITCZ?

Rising air currents in the ITCZ are due to global wind convergence and convection from thermal heating.

What is Geostrophic Wind?

A horizontal wind in the upper atmosphere that moves parallel to isobars, resulting from the balance between pressure gradient force and Coriolis force.

What are jet streams?

Fast flowing rivers of wind that guide weather patterns, typically moving from west to east and occurring where pressure gradients are strongest.

Where do Santa Ana winds originate from?

Santa Ana winds originate from high pressure building in the Great Basin region.

What type of pressure systems are involved in Santa Ana winds?

Santa Ana winds involve high pressure in the desert region and low pressure off the California coast.

Why are Santa Ana winds so dry?

They are dry because they originate from a desert where the air has low moisture content.

Why do Santa Ana winds blow with such intensity?

They blow hard because the air heats up at the dry adiabatic rate as it is compressed, which is approximately 5.5°F per 1000 feet.