GEOG 102 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Intertropical Convergence Zone, Vertical Draft, The Trade Winds
Document Summary
The hadley cells, the trade winds, the intertropical convergence zone, the tropical ocean. Polar latitudes dominated by slantwise transport of warm air. Transport occurs by rising currents on western sides of subtropical highs; tropical storms in mid-latitude imports warmer low latitude air into their circulations. Low-mid-latitude heat transfer forms as latent heat (associated w/rainfall - condensation) Poleward transfer of warm air (slantwise circulation) equatorward transport of cold air. Occurs on eastern sides of major ocean basins. Tropical atmosphere does not operate independently of mid-latitude regions; major energy transfers b/w both regions. Rotation of the earth influences the direction of air circulation. Polar cell: upward air flow, low atmospheric pressure zone on surface. Ferrel cell: downward air flow, high atmospheric pressure zone on surface. Hadley cell: upward air flow, low atmospheric pressure zone on surface; a large-scale atmospheric convection cell in which air rises at the equator and sinks at medium latitudes, typically about 30 north or south.
