Air Pressure and Winds

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to air pressure and winds, including types of winds, atmospheric phenomena, and their impacts.

Upper-Level Winds

Winds that occur at high elevations in the troposphere with high wind velocities, where friction is not a factor.

Geostrophic Winds

Winds that blow parallel to the isobars and do not form closed circles, typically found at higher altitudes.

Gradient Winds

Upper-level winds that flow in circles around closed circular isobars, associated with low and high-pressure systems.

Subtropical Jet Stream

High-speed winds that flow above the Subtropical High Pressure areas, influencing severe weather in the southern US.

Latitudinal Winds

Upper-level winds flowing parallel to lines of latitude, exhibiting a North-South temperature gradient with little East-West change.

Meridional Winds

Upper-level winds with developed ridges and troughs, creating both North-South and East-West temperature changes.

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

An ocean-atmosphere phenomenon occurring every 3-7 years, caused by changes in ocean, wind, and pressure systems in the eastern Pacific.

Cyclonic Winds

Winds that flow counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around areas of low pressure.

Anticyclonic Winds

Winds that flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around areas of high pressure.

Polar Jet Stream

A high-velocity wind stream located within the Upper-Level Westerlies that impacts weather by converging cold polar and warmer mid-latitude air.