Wind and Weather---Chapter 8

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter the student should be able to:

distinguish among the components of the wind

describe the forces that initiate and govern the circulation of air

present the origins of horizontal air pressure gradients

describe how the pressure gradient force affects the motion of air

explain the source of the centripetal force

describe how the coriolis effect varies with latitude

explain why the coriolis effect is important only in large scale circulation systems

show why gravity influences vertical motion and not horizontal motion

present Newton's first and second laws of motion

describe the balance of forces in hydrostatic equilibrium

summarize the interaction of forces in the geostrophic and gradient winds

explain how surface roughness influences surface winds

describe the circulation in cyclones and anticyclones

explain why stormy weather is associated with cyclones and fair weather with anticyclones