Comprehensive Guide to Atmospheric Circulation and Wind Systems

Anabatic Wind

Daytime rising winds along mountain slope

Katabatic Wind

Night time descending winds along mountain slope

Sanat Ana Mountain

Katabatic winds caused damage to LA, California, destroying houses due to creation of fires

Summer Monsoon Circulation

Warm, humid air, heavy rain

Winter Monsoon Circulation

Cool, dry air, little rain

Global Circulation

On a non-rotating global

PGF (Pressure Gradient Force)

Warm air at equator (higher pressure) and cold dry air at poles (lower pressure)

Coriolis (Momentum Effect)

Influence of the earth's rotation on air mass movement across its surface

Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes)

Low-pressure storm systems, North - clockwise, South - counterclockwise

Gradient Winds include

Clockwise, Counterclockwise

Counterclockwise: rotation around northern hemisphere low

14.2 - 14.4 → typical air pressure in center or north-america

Clockwise: rotation around a northern hemisphere High

14.8 - 15.1

Anticyclones

High pressure winds

Cyclones

Low-pressure cyclones

Global Zonal Atmospheric Circulation

high precipitation and Dry Arid

High Precipitation

Areas of rising air create low pressure zones

Dry, Arid

Areas of sinking air create high pressure zones

Surface Winds - Non-Rotating Earth

The Hadley, Ferrell, and Polar cells blow towards low pressure and away from high pressure

Prevailing Winds

Easterly trade winds between 0° and 30° north and south