Geography 110 - Physical Geography

Chapter 6 - Atmospheric pressure, winds, and oceanic circulation
 
• Relationship between atmospheric pressure and wind
• definition of pressure; barometers
• pressure as a function of altitude
• isobars, pressure maps, pressure gradient force, and wind speed
• Coriolis effect and the balance between pressure gradient force, Coriolis effect, and surface friction in controlling wind direction
• wind direction at the surface
• wind direction in upper air (geostrophic wind)
• cyclones and anticyclones; wind directions associated with each at surface and in upper air
• general circulation of the atmosphere (fig. 6-13)
• major pressure belts
• equatorial trough/intertropical convergence zone
• subtropical high
• Hadley cells
• subpolar low/polar front
• polar high
• major wind systems associated with pressure belts
• trade winds (easterlies)
• doldrums (within ITCZ)
• westerlies
• polar easterlies
• adding a layer of complexity: representing subtropical high and subpolar low as a series of high and low-pressure cells with cyclonic and anticyclonic patterns of winds
• upper-air circulation, jet streams, and the polar front
• Rossby waves and associated weather patterns
• seasonal shifts in global pressure patterns
• influence of land-water contrasts
• monsoons
• Local winds
• land-sea breezes
• katabatic winds
• Ocean currents
• gyres and counterclockwise circulation around the subtropical highs
• individual current systems:
• equatorial current and countercurrent
• western intensification and warm-water currents (e.g. Gulf Stream and Kuroshio)
• cold-water currents
• upwelling and associated coastal effects
• deep-water circulation