5th Video
Hello everyone! In this video, we are going to discuss atmospheric circulation.
Now, atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and together with ocean
circulation, it is the means by which thermal energy is redistributed.
This discussion will focus on the movement of air masses, and by the end of the video, you will
be able to understand wind movements and cell formation.
Alright, let's begin.
Factors Affecting Atmospheric Circulation
The first factor, of course, is the insolation from the sun. Now, you can relate this to thermal
energy and heat energy.
The second factor is pressure difference.
To understand this concept better, the most fundamental thing you need to know is that wind
always travels from high pressure to low pressure. So, this is the direction of the wind—from
high pressure to low pressure.
Another important thing to understand is latitude.
• The 0° latitude represents the equator.
• As we move towards the poles, the latitude increases up to 90°, which represents the
poles (both North Pole and South Pole).
• The key latitudes we consider are 0° (equator), 30°, 60°, and 90°.
These latitudes are essential for understanding the entire concept in this video.
Now, as you can see, the direction of the wind differs in different latitude belts.
But why does this happen?
This is due to the Coriolis force. You may also notice that the wind deflects to the left in the
Southern Hemisphere and to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. This happens because of
the Coriolis effect.
We have already made a detailed video on the Coriolis effect, which you can watch on our app.
Understanding Atmospheric Cells
Now, let’s start from the equator and move towards the North Pole to understand the process of
cell formation.
Let's assume:
• 0° latitude is the equator.
• 90° latitude is the North Pole.
At the equator, the temperature is highest throughout the year because the equator receives
maximum insolation.
Due to this high temperature, a low-pressure zone forms here.
Why?
Because warm air rises, creating a low-pressure area.
This rising air reaches the tropopause (the boundary between the troposphere and
stratosphere). Since the air cannot move beyond the tropopause, it diverges towards the poles.
Now, let’s consider the 30° latitude and the 60° latitude.
By the time the warm air reaches these regions, it cools down and starts subsiding (sinking)
towards the land.
This sinking air moves in two directions:
1. Towards the equator, where it completes a cycle, rising again at 0° latitude.
2. Towards the poles, forming another cycle.
The wind that moves towards the equator is known as the Northeast Trade Winds in the
Northern Hemisphere and the Southeast Trade Winds in the Southern Hemisphere.
The complete circulation cell formed here is called the Hadley Cell, named after George
Hadley, who proposed this theory.
Now, let's talk about the Polar Cell.
At the poles, the temperature is very low, resulting in high pressure.
From the high-pressure region at the poles, wind moves towards the low-pressure region at 60°
latitude.
When the wind reaches 60° latitude, it becomes comparatively warmer and starts rising.
Again, it cannot move beyond the tropopause, so it diverges, creating a circulation cycle known
as the Polar Cell.
The surface winds in this cell are called Polar Easterlies.
Ferrel Cell – The Mechanical Cell
We have now discussed the Hadley Cell and the Polar Cell, both of which are thermal cells
because they are formed due to solar insolation and pressure differences.
However, between these two cells, there is a gap.
To fill this gap, another mechanical circulation cell forms, called the Ferrel Cell, named after
William Ferrel.
In this cell:
• Wind moves from high pressure at 30° latitude to low pressure at 60° latitude.
• This wind rises, reaches the tropopause, and diverges.
• Eventually, it completes a cycle, forming the Ferrel Cell.
The surface winds in this cell, moving towards the poles, are known as the Westerlies.
Important Points on Atmospheric Circulation
1. Definition
o Atmospheric circulation refers to the large-scale movement of air that
redistributes thermal energy across the Earth.
o It works together with ocean circulation to balance heat distribution.
2. Factors Affecting Atmospheric Circulation
o Insolation (Solar Radiation): Unequal heating of the Earth's surface creates
temperature variations.
o Pressure Differences: Wind moves from high-pressure to low-pressure areas.
o Coriolis Effect: Causes winds to deflect right in the Northern Hemisphere and
left in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Latitude and Pressure Zones
o 0° (Equator): Warmest region with low pressure → Rising air → Intertropical
Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
o 30° N/S: High pressure → Air subsides → Subtropical high-pressure belts.
o 60° N/S: Low pressure → Rising air → Polar front.
o 90° N/S (Poles): Coldest region with high pressure → Subsiding air.
4. Wind Belts and Cells
o Hadley Cell (0°–30°):
▪ Warm air rises at the equator (ITCZ), moves poleward, cools, and subsides
at 30°.
▪ Surface winds: Trade Winds (Easterlies).
o Ferrel Cell (30°–60°):
▪ Moves in the opposite direction of Hadley and Polar cells.
▪ Surface winds: Westerlies.
o Polar Cell (60°–90°):
▪ Cold air sinks at poles, moves towards 60°, warms, rises.
▪ Surface winds: Polar Easterlies.
5. Key Wind Systems
o Trade Winds (0°–30°): Blow from east to west.
o Westerlies (30°–60°): Blow from west to east.
o Polar Easterlies (60°–90°): Blow from east to west.
6. Coriolis Effect
o Causes winds to bend due to Earth’s rotation:
▪ Rightward in the Northern Hemisphere.
▪ Leftward in the Southern Hemisphere.
7. Tropopause
o The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere.
o Prevents air from rising beyond a certain height.
o Higher at the equator (~17 km) and lower at the poles (~8 km).
8. High and Low-Pressure Systems
o Equator (Low Pressure): Warm air rises → Cloud formation → Heavy rainfall.
o Subtropics (High Pressure): Descending dry air → Deserts form.
o Polar Regions (High Pressure): Cold dense air sinks.
9. Jet Streams
o High-altitude fast-moving air currents, found near the boundaries of circulation
cells.
o Polar Jet Stream (60°): Stronger, influences weather patterns. Subtropical Jet
Stream (30°): Weaker, affects aviation.
