Physical Processes
Atmospheric Circulation
Also Known As Global Atmospheric Circulation
Citation Formats
General Reference
APA Style
BibTeX
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale, long-term average pattern of global winds, organized in each hemisphere into three cells: the Hadley cell nearest the equator, the Ferrel cell at mid-latitudes, and the smaller, weaker polar cell. The whole system is driven by uneven solar heating between the equator and the poles, and the descending air at the boundary between the Hadley and Ferrel cells around 30 degrees latitude produces the high-pressure belts responsible for many of the world's subtropical deserts.
Facts
Process TypeAtmospheric Circulation 1 TimescaleA stable long-term average pattern, apparent only when averaged over many years, even though short-term weather within it varies day to day. 1 First Proposed Year Cross-Tradition Connections
Demonstrated By
Sits under the descending, high-pressure arm of the Hadley cell near 30 degrees latitude, the mechanism the Met Office identifies as producing the world's subtropical desert belts.
Sources
1. UK Met Office
Met Office (United Kingdom)Global Atmospheric CirculationQuote, Global Atmospheric Circulation
This circulation is crucial for balancing temperatures between the equator and the poles, preventing extreme heat at the equator and excessive cold at the poles.
1. UK Met Office
2. George Hadley (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationTrade winds sectionQuote, Trade winds section
on 22 May that year published a short paper in the Philosophical Transactions (vol. 39, 1735, 58-62) giving an explanation of the trade winds.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.