Smedes 4.5: Global Wind Patterns

Why does warm air rise?

It’s less dense than cold air

What type of air holds more moisture?

Warm air

What happens to warm air as it rises?

It cools and expands

What happens to the water (H2O) vapor in warm rising air?

It condenses into liquid and forms precipitation (rain)

After the air cools and expands, what happens?

It starts to sink back to earth

What is the Hadley cell?

The cycle of air circulation between 0d and 30d

What is the Hadley cell responsible for?

Our global wind patterns

When is sunlight most direct?

At the equator

Why is there a predictiable pattern of deserts forming all around 30d north and south in the Hadley cell?

The air that descends back to earth is incredibly dry so we get deserts

Why is air moving along the surface from 30d back to the equator?

We have high pressure at 30d north and south

What gives us high air pressure?

A column of cool dry air sinking back to earth (it pushes down on earth)

What type of pressure do we have at the equator?

Low pressure as warm air from the sun is rising

How does air move?

From high to low pressure

What is the coriolis effect?

Deflection of objects traveling through atm. due to the spin of the earth

How does wind from 0-30d move?

E—>W

How does wind from 30-60d move?

W—>E

what is a convection spell?

a circular pattern of fluid that forms due to density differences caused by temperature changes

Where are the Ferrell cells found?

Between the 30 & 60d marks

Where are polar cells found?

The north and South Pole