Which latitudes are associated with high pressure

Such large-scale vertical movement of air generates pressure differences across the Earth, which assist the development of surface winds that transfer the heat. Latitudinal differences in pressure delineate a number of major pressure zones which correspond with zones of climate. Low pressure develops when air rises.

A major zone of low pressure exists at or near the equator, where the strong sunlight heats the Earth's surface and air in contact with it, causing it to rise.

The climate associated with this zone of low pressure and rising air is tropical , with considerable rainfall in the form of daily thunderstorms. The tropical climate zone shifts north of the equator in summer and south of it in winter as the region of most intense solar radiation fluctuates with the seasons.

Many of the world's hot deserts are found in this subtropical high-pressure belt. As for the tropical belt of climate the subtropical zone expands towards the higher latitudes during the summer months. Some of the descending air in the subtropical belt forms surface winds which return towards the equator.

These areas, especially the west coast of continents, tend to have more precipitation due to more storms moving around the earth at these latitudes. Please Contact Us. Toggle navigation JetStream. Global Circulations Air flow for no rotation and no water on a planet. Air flow for no rotation and no water on a planet. Volcanic eruptions such as those of Tambora in and Mount Pinatubo in demonstrate the power of global winds to disperse aerosols and pollution. The weight of the atmosphere created by the motion, size, and number of air molecules is air pressure.

Air pressure is measured with a mercury barometer developed by Torricelli or an aneroid barometer a closed cell, partially evacuated of air, that detects changes in pressure. Its speed is measured with an anemometer a device with cups that are pushed by the wind. Wind direction is detected with a Wind vane a flat blade that is directed by the wind and usually placed on top of structures.

The four driving forces within the atmosphere. Winds are directed and driven by the pressure gradient force moves air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The Coriolis force is a deflection in the path of winds or ocean currents caused by the rotation of Earth. Air pressure patterns are portrayed on maps using the isobar —an isoline that connects points of equal pressure. Geostrophic winds are wind circulations that occur in the upper troposphere.

The combined effects of the Coriolis and the Pressure gradient forces cause the winds to blow around pressure areas parallel to the isobars.

In High Pressure Zones, winds descend and diverge, spiraling outward to form an anticyclone clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere ,. In Low pressure Zones, winds converge and ascend, spiraling upward to form a cyclone counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. The pattern of high and low pressures on Earth in generalized belts in each hemisphere produces the distribution of specific wind systems.

The primary Air Pressure Regions are:.