Global Patterns Of Atmospheric Heating And Circulation

Ecology: Global Patterns of Atmospheric Heating and Circulation
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Ecology: Global Patterns of Atmospheric Heating and Circulation
The planet earth rotates around the sun resulting in some parts getting better radiation more than others do. It is because of this unevenness in heating that the patterns of global circulation result (noaa.gov, 2011). Atmospheric heating and circulation depends on three cells, which exist between the North and South poles. The operations of the three cells are the Ferrel cell, the Polar cell and the Hardley cell. The Ferrel cell operates between latitudes of 30 degrees and 60 degree, whereas the Polar cell is in operation of between 60 and 90 degrees. The Hardley cell, which operates between 0 and 30 degrees (Urbano, 2011). This paper seeks to identify the global circulation and heating, and further explain the concept of precipitation and the changes in the climatic conditions within the tropics.
According to Urbano (2011) hot air rises and most of the sun’s radiation is received at the equator. When the rays from the sun hits the surface at an angle, it spreads wide. The resultant effect of more radiation at the equator means more heat, which in the end rises. Since the warm air cannot ascend forever, the force of gravity takes toll on it and as such, on reaching equator, it diverges towards the south and north poles. Towards the pole, the air is cooler. The moment it makes its journey back towards the equator, a cycle is formed which is called the circulation cell (Urbano, 2011).
Urbano (2011) asserts that when the hot air rises, it ascends with water vapour which originates from the oceans and land through the process of evapotranspiration. Clouds are formed because of the cooling of the hot air in the atmosphere. Most of the cloud formation is at the equator since this is the region of convergence of the air from the north and south poles occurs. This point is technically referred to as the Inter-Tropical-Convergence-Zone (ITCZ). Practically, most of the rain forests are close to the equator. Examples include the Congo and Amazon rain forests.
According to metoffice.gov.uk (2018), variable winds are always in existence around the globe, given the fact that multiple weather systems are always active. After a careful study for a considerable duration, there will appear a well-defined pattern of circulation. Global circulation is simply defined as the wind’s worldwide system, which is responsible for the transportation of heat from the tropical to polar latitudes (metoffice.gov.uk, 2018).
There are three cells in every hemisphere namely the Ferrel cell, Hadley cell and the Polar cell, which allow free circulation of air through the whole troposphere. Troposphere is that region above the earth’s surface that is approximately 10 to 15 km in height (metoffice.gov.uk, 2018).
The reason for the highly seasonal rainfall in the tropical dry forests and the Savannah biomes is attributed to the behaviour exhibited by the Ferrel, Polar and Hardley cells. Hardley cells happen to be the largest cells exiting from the equator and they are 30-40 degree from the south and north poles. They are responsible for the formation of th...