Wind and Air Circulation

1. Wind and Air Circulation Wind is the horizontal movement of air parallel to Earth’s surface.

2. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure – which in turn is caused by changes in atmospheric conditions (Ex: water vapor, temperature, etc…) Air pressure gradient is the difference in air pressure over a specific distance. An isobaric map illustrates the pressure gradient of an area. An anemometer is an instrument that measures wind speed. When the air pressure gradient is steep, the isobars are close together. HIGH WINDS When the air pressure gradient is gentle, the isobars are further apart. LOW WINDS or NO WINDS

3. Wind Direction Winds moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Due to the Coriolis Effect, the wind direction is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphereand to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The wind is coming from the northwest and is blowing to the southeast. A weather vane (wind vane) is an instrument that determines the direction of wind. The weather vane will point in the direction that the wind is coming from.

4. The atmosphere is heated by insolation. Due to the changes in intensity and duration of insolation, unequal heating leads to difference in air pressure. This will lead to the creation of convection cells – the rising of warm/less dense air and the descending of cool/more dense air. Regions where air comes together to form a vertical current is called convergence. Regions where air spreads away from a vertical current is called divergence. Convection Cells convergence divergence

5. A jet stream is a strong, easterly flowing wind found in the upper troposphere. Jet streams influence the formation and direction of weather patterns. Jet Stream Jet Stream Jet streams help to steer air masses and fronts. RT = Pg. 14

6. Planetary Winds and Pressure Belts How do the winds seem to blow? L H Winds blow towards low pressure. Winds blow away from high pressure.

7. Planetary Winds and Pressure Belts High Pressure Pressure Belts Low Pressure Planetary Winds Due to the Coriolis Effect, winds that move away from a high pressure belts are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. These winds would be deflected to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. These are known as planetary winds.

8. Planetary Winds and Pressure Belts Northern part of the United States Pierre experiences cold weather conditions in the winter due to a northerly prevailing wind The position of Earth’s pressure belts and the planetray winds that are created will change as different points of the Earth are exposed to direct insolation during Earth’s revolution around the Sun. As a result, different locations on Earth’s surface will experience seasonal shifts in weather patterns. Pierre experiences warm weather conditions in the summer due to a southwesterly prevailing wind

9. Weather Movement in the United States Generally speaking, weather patternsmove from the southwest to the northeast in the US due to the southwest prevailing winds.

10. Surface ocean currents are caused by wind blowing over the oceans thus transferring energy to it. Surface Ocean Currents The direction of movement ofthese ocean currents is a reflection of the Coriolis Effect (clockwise in Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in Southern Hemisphere) and the landmasses surrounding the oceans. As is true of prevailing winds, the positions of surface ocean currents will change seasonally due to different areas of Earth’s surface receiving maximum insolation as Earth revolves around the Sun. RT = Pg. 4

11. Wind Direction The wind blows along the shaft. Weather Station Model Wind Speed Whole feather = 10 knots Half Feather = 5 knots 1 knot = 1.15 mi/hr The wind originates from the southwest and has a speed of 15 knots at this location.