Global Wind Systems: Atmospheric circulation refers to the large-scale movement of air around the Earth, creating global wind patterns.
Equator-to-Pole Gradients: The uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun establishes temperature gradients, driving the circulation of air from warm equatorial regions toward cooler polar areas.
Hadley Cells: Near the equator, warm air rises, creating low-pressure zones, and then moves toward the poles in the upper atmosphere, forming the Hadley cells.
Ferrel Cells: Between 30 and 60 degrees latitude, the Ferrel cells exist, where the descending air from the polar regions interacts with the rising air from the Hadley cells.
Polar Cells: Near the poles, cold air descends and moves back towards lower latitudes, completing the atmospheric circulation in the polar cells.
Coriolis Effect: The rotation of the Earth causes the Coriolis effect, deflecting moving air masses to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, influencing wind directions.
Trade Winds and Westerlies: The trade winds blow from east to west, while the westerlies blow from west to east in the middle latitudes.
Monsoons and Local Effects: Atmospheric circulation patterns influence local phenomena like monsoons, mountain and valley winds, and sea breezes, impacting regional weather patterns.