Atmospheric circulation

Definition

Atmospheric circulation refers to the large-scale movement of air in the Earth's atmosphere, driven primarily by solar energy and the uneven heating of the Earth's surface. This circulation is responsible for redistributing heat and moisture around the planet, creating weather patterns and influencing climate. It plays a crucial role in determining regional climates, storm systems, and the distribution of precipitation, significantly impacting weather patterns and extreme events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Atmospheric circulation is primarily driven by temperature differences between the equator and poles, causing warm air to rise near the equator and cool air to sink at higher latitudes.
2. Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns due to climate change can lead to shifts in rainfall patterns, increased frequency of droughts or floods, and alterations in storm tracks.
3. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes or heatwaves can be intensified by changes in atmospheric circulation resulting from global warming.
4. The interconnectedness of atmospheric circulation with ocean currents creates feedback loops that further influence climate variability and extreme weather events.
5. Understanding atmospheric circulation is essential for predicting weather patterns and preparing for potential natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Review Questions

• How does atmospheric circulation affect global climate patterns?
  • Atmospheric circulation plays a crucial role in shaping global climate patterns by redistributing heat and moisture across different regions. For instance, it helps maintain temperature balance between the tropics and polar areas through systems like the Hadley Cell and trade winds. As a result, areas near the equator tend to be warmer and wetter while polar regions are colder and drier. Changes in these circulation patterns can significantly impact regional climates and lead to extreme weather conditions.
• Discuss how climate change impacts atmospheric circulation and its consequences for extreme weather events.
  • Climate change alters atmospheric circulation by increasing temperatures globally, which can disrupt established wind patterns. For example, warming can weaken the polar jet stream, causing it to become more wavy and leading to prolonged periods of extreme weather. This disruption may result in more severe heatwaves or unusual cold snaps in certain regions. The shifting circulation patterns also affect precipitation distribution, contributing to increased instances of flooding or droughts.
• Evaluate the interrelationship between atmospheric circulation and ocean currents in terms of climate variability.
  • The interaction between atmospheric circulation and ocean currents is vital for understanding climate variability. Ocean currents help regulate temperatures by transporting warm water from the equator toward the poles, while atmospheric circulation redistributes heat from land to sea and vice versa. This interconnected system can create feedback loops; for example, changes in sea surface temperatures can influence atmospheric pressure systems, which in turn affect wind patterns. Such dynamics are essential for predicting phenomena like El Niño or La Niña events, which have significant impacts on global weather patterns.

Related terms

Hadley Cell:

A tropical atmospheric circulation pattern that occurs between the equator and about 30 degrees latitude, characterized by rising warm air near the equator and descending cool air at subtropical latitudes.

Jet Stream: A fast-flowing air current located in the upper troposphere that significantly influences weather patterns by steering storms and affecting temperature distributions across regions.

Trade Winds: The persistent winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, playing a vital role in the overall circulation of the atmosphere and influencing ocean currents.