Atmospheric Circulation Patterns

Global Wind Patterns:
- Trade winds: blow from high to low pressure near the equator
- Wasterlies: blow from high to low pressure in mid-latitudes
- Jet stream: fast-moving wind current in the upper atmosphere
Global Pressure Belts:
- High-pressure belts near 30°N and 30°S latitude
- Low-pressure belts near the equator and 60°N and 60°S latitude
Cellular Circulation:
- Hadley cells: near the equator, warm air rises, cools, and sinks
- Ferrel cells: in mid-latitudes, air sinks, warms, and rises
- Polar cells: near the poles, cold air sinks, warms, and rises

Tropical Climate Zone:
- High temperatures and high humidity near the equator
- Little seasonal variation in temperature
Temperate Climate Zone:
- Moderate temperatures and rainfall in mid-latitudes
- Distinct seasonal variations
Polar Climate Zone:
- Extremely cold temperatures and low humidity near the poles
- Limited seasonal variation

Observation:
- Surface weather stations: measure temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure
- Radar: uses radio waves to detect precipitation
- Satellites: observe cloud patterns and atmospheric conditions from space
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP):
- Uses computer models to forecast weather patterns
- Solves equations governing atmospheric behavior
Nowcasting:
- Uses current weather conditions to predict immediate future weather
- Focuses on short-term, local forecasts

Types of Disasters:
- Hurricanes/Typhoons: intense tropical cyclones
- Tornadoes: rotating columns of air that touch the ground
- Floods: excessive water in a normally dry area
- Droughts: prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall
Causes and Effects:
- Natural factors: weather patterns, climate change, and geological processes
- Human factors: deforestation, urbanization, and climate change
- Impacts: loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation

Global Wind Patterns:
- Trade winds blow from high to low pressure near the equator, resulting in a northeast direction in the Northern Hemisphere and a southeast direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Wasterlies blow from high to low pressure in mid-latitudes, resulting in a southwest direction in the Northern Hemisphere and a northwest direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The jet stream is a fast-moving wind current in the upper atmosphere, playing a crucial role in shaping global weather patterns.
Global Pressure Belts:
- High-pressure belts form near 30°N and 30°S latitude due to the sinking of air, resulting in clear skies and fair weather.
- Low-pressure belts form near the equator and 60°N and 60°S latitude due to the rising of air, resulting in cloudy skies and precipitation.
Cellular Circulation:
- Hadley cells near the equator: warm air rises, cools, and sinks, creating a circulation pattern that drives the trade winds.
- Ferrel cells in mid-latitudes: air sinks, warms, and rises, creating a circulation pattern that drives the wasterlies.
- Polar cells near the poles: cold air sinks, warms, and rises, creating a circulation pattern that drives the polar easterlies.

Tropical Climate Zone:
- High temperatures and high humidity near the equator, resulting in a relatively constant temperature throughout the year.
- Little seasonal variation in temperature, with minimal changes in temperature between summer and winter.
Temperate Climate Zone:
- Moderate temperatures and rainfall in mid-latitudes, resulting in a distinct seasonal variation.
- Distinct seasonal variations, with warm summers and cold winters.
Polar Climate Zone:
- Extremely cold temperatures and low humidity near the poles, resulting in a harsh climate.
- Limited seasonal variation, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

Observation:
- Surface weather stations measure temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure to provide accurate weather data.
- Radar uses radio waves to detect precipitation, allowing for accurate forecasting of rain and storms.
- Satellites observe cloud patterns and atmospheric conditions from space, providing a global view of weather patterns.
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP):
- Uses computer models to forecast weather patterns by solving equations governing atmospheric behavior.
- Computer models consider atmospheric conditions, wind patterns, and other factors to predict future weather.
Nowcasting:
- Uses current weather conditions to predict immediate future weather, focusing on short-term, local forecasts.
- Nowcasting is essential for predicting severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

Types of Disasters:
- Hurricanes/Typhoons: intense tropical cyclones with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
- Tornadoes: rotating columns of air that touch the ground, causing damage and destruction.
- Floods: excessive water in a normally dry area, resulting from heavy rainfall, storm surge, or dam failure.
- Droughts: prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, resulting in water scarcity and crop failure.
Causes and Effects:
- Natural factors: weather patterns, climate change, and geological processes contribute to the occurrence of natural disasters.
- Human factors: deforestation, urbanization, and climate change can exacerbate the impact of natural disasters.
- Impacts: loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation are the devastating consequences of natural disasters.