Tri Cell Model Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a Hadley cell?

The atmospheric circulation cell nearest the equator in each hemisphere, where air rises near the equator due to strong solar heating and falls around 30 degrees latitude.

What defines a Ferrel cell?

The middle atmospheric circulation cell in each hemisphere where air rises at 60 degrees latitude and falls at 30 degrees latitude.

Describe a Polar cell.

Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees north and south and each pole.

What is convergence in atmospheric terms?

Where air streams meet either in the upper troposphere or on the Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What does divergence refer to in the atmosphere?

Where air streams move away from one another in the upper troposphere or at the Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is low pressure associated with?

Convergence at the Earth's surface and divergence in the upper troposphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is high pressure associated with?

Divergence on the Earth's surface and convergence in the upper atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone?

A region where currents bring rainy and dry seasons and create drought and hurricanes, located where the Trade winds meet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Polar Front?

The boundary at which air flowing away from the polar regions collides with the warmer air from the lower latitudes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Polar Front Jet stream.

A river of high-speed air in the upper atmosphere that flows along the polar front. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sub Tropical jet stream?

A jet stream found between the Hadley and Ferrel cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Doldrums?

A belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Westerlies?

Prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in each hemisphere. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Trade winds.

Prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to the equator and southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator. Signup and view all the answers

What are ocean currents in relation to heat distribution?

They are another way of redistributing heat from the equator to the poles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tri Cell Model

Hadley cell: Located nearest the equator in each hemisphere; characterized by rising air due to strong solar heating and descending air around 30 degrees latitude.
Ferrel cell: Situated between the Hadley and Polar cells; air rises at 60 degrees latitude and descends at 30 degrees latitude.
Polar cell: Covers areas between 60 degrees north/south and the poles; involved in the circulation of polar air.

Atmospheric Dynamics

Convergence: Occurs when air streams meet either in the upper troposphere or at the Earth's surface, leading to low pressure systems.
Divergence: Happens when air streams move apart in the upper troposphere or at the Earth's surface, associated with high pressure systems.
Low pressure: Linked to convergence at the surface and divergence aloft, typically resulting in cloudy and stormy weather.
High pressure: Related to divergence on the surface and convergence above, usually bringing clear and calm conditions.

Weather Features

Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ): Zone where trade winds converge, resulting in significant rainfall, seasonal droughts, and hurricane formation.
Polar Front: The boundary where cold polar air meets warmer air from lower latitudes, often associated with storm activity.
Polar Front Jet Stream: A fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere along the polar front, impacting weather patterns.
Sub Tropical Jet Stream: Located between the Hadley and Ferrel cells, it plays a role in high-altitude weather dynamics.

Wind Patterns

Doldrums: Characterized by light winds and calms, situated between the northern and southern trade winds in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Westerlies: Prevailing winds that blow from west to east, occurring between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in each hemisphere.
Trade winds: Prevailing winds that blow from northeast in the northern hemisphere and from southeast in the southern hemisphere towards the equator, creating a significant impact on ocean currents.

Ocean Dynamics

Ocean currents: Vital for heat redistribution from the equator to the poles, affecting climate and weather patterns across the globe.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the Tri Cell Model, which includes the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. Each card features key terms and definitions essential for understanding atmospheric circulation patterns. Perfect for students studying meteorology or atmospheric sciences.