Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Atmospheric circulation refers to the large-scale movement of air in the Earth's atmosphere. It is driven by differences in temperature and pressure, resulting in the formation of global wind patterns.
Jet Stream: A narrow band of strong winds high up in the atmosphere that flows from west to east. It plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns.
Hadley Cell: A tropical atmospheric circulation cell that occurs between 0° and 30° latitude. It is responsible for creating trade winds and influencing climate.
Coriolis Effect: The deflection of moving objects (including air) caused by the rotation of the Earth. It influences wind direction and causes hurricanes to spin.