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Pressure Belts, Winds, Clouds
Pressure
Air as it gets heated expands and when cooled it gets compressed
This results in variations of Atmospheric Pressure on the surface of the earth
Wind always travel from zone of High Pressure to zone of Low Pressure
The force that a vertical column of air exerts on unit area is called Atmospheric Pressure
Factors Affecting Pressure
FACTORS CHANGE PRESSURE
TEMPERATURE INCREASE DECREASE
ALTITUDE INCREASE DECREASE
WATER VAPOUR INCREASE DECREASE
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE INCREASE INCREASE
ROTATION OF EARTH INCREASE DECREASE
Vertical Distribution of Pressure
Pressure decrease with increase in height
Factors responsible:
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Gravity
Average decrease 34 mb for every 300 meters
Horizontal Distribution of Pressure
Isobars – Imaginary lines that join the places with equal pressure
Pressure Gradient – Rate of change of Pressure
Based on Pressure Gradient, there are seven pressure belts which are identifiable on the surface of the
earth.
Pressure Belts have been formed due to
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• Thermal Factors
• Dynamic Factors
Pressure Belts
Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt
Lies between 10 degrees North and South latitudes
Zone of convergence of trade winds from Subtropical High-Pressure Belts
Called Doldrums or Belt of Calm
Doldrums - unpredictable weather patterns with stagnant calms and intense thunderstorms
Absence of Surface Winds
Rainfall everyday between 2 – 4 PM
No cyclone formation due to absence of Coriolis Force
Subtropical High-Pressure Belt
Lies around 35 degrees latitudes in both the hemisphere
Also known as Horse Latitudes
Formation is due to subsidence of air from the Equatorial region
Most of the hot deserts are present in this belt
Subpolar Low-Pressure Belt
Located between 40 – 45 degrees in both the hemisphere
Dynamically produced due to
• Effect of Coriolis Force
• Centrifugal force of the Earth
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They are frequented with Temperate Cyclones due to mixing of two different air masses from Sup
Tropical and Polar Pressure Belts
Polar High-Pressure Belt
Located between 80-85 degrees latitudes in both the hemisphere
Formed due to cold temperature that exist at poles
Due to less temperature air becomes heavy and subsides leading to high pressure belt
Shifting of Pressure Belts
The location of these belts is not permanent and they change their position with respect to movement of
Sun
Shift towards north in July
Shift towards south in January
Thermal Equator (Belt of highest temperature) also shifts along with the belts
Coriolis Force
Deflection of wind on the surface of the earth
Caused by rotation of the Earth
Direction to the Coriolis Effect was given by Ferrel
Ferrel Law – It describes the direction of deflection which is
Northern Hemisphere – To the Right
Southern Hemisphere – To the Left
Winds
Horizontal movement of air is called Wind
It depends upon
• Latitudinal Variation in Heating
• Pressure Belts
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• Distribution of Oceans and Continents
• Rotation of the Earth
Classification of Winds
Permanent or
Secondary or
Primary or
Periodic
Planetary
Local Winds
Primary Winds
Secondary Winds
Such winds in which there is reversal of winds periodically are called Secondary or Seasonal Winds
For example:
• Monsoon Winds
• Land and Sea Breeze
• Mountain and Valley Winds
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Monsoon Winds
Land and Sea Breeze
Mountain and Valley Breeze
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Local Winds
WINDS REGION
Bora Eastern Europe, Italy
Chinook Rockies
Elephanta Malabar Coast
Fohn Alps
Harmattan Central Africa
Khamsin Eastern Mediterranean
Loo North India and Pakistan
Mistral Central France and Alps
Nor’easter Eastern US
Pampero Argentina
Local Winds
Simoom Sahara
Sirocco North Africa
Zonda Argentina
Punas Westward side of Andes
Blizzard Polar regions
Purga Russia
Levanter Spain
Nor’wester New Zealand
Santa Ana California
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Clouds
