Polar highs

Definition

Polar highs are areas of high atmospheric pressure that form over the polar regions, specifically over the cold and dense air masses in Antarctica and the Arctic. These high-pressure systems are characterized by subsiding air, which leads to clear skies and cold temperatures. Polar highs play a significant role in global atmospheric circulation patterns by influencing wind directions and contributing to the stability of the polar climate.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polar highs are more pronounced during winter months when temperatures drop significantly in the polar regions, leading to stronger high-pressure systems.
2. These high-pressure systems can lead to temperature inversions, where warm air traps cold air near the surface, creating stable atmospheric conditions.
3. Polar highs influence surface wind patterns, causing air to flow outward from the high-pressure center toward lower pressure areas, which contributes to polar circulation.
4. The stability of polar highs can affect weather systems far beyond the poles, impacting mid-latitude weather patterns due to their influence on jet streams.
5. In Antarctica, polar highs are often associated with strong katabatic winds, which are cold winds that flow down from elevated areas to the coast.

Review Questions

• How do polar highs contribute to global atmospheric circulation patterns?
  • Polar highs contribute to global atmospheric circulation patterns by creating areas of high pressure that drive wind movements away from them. This outward flow influences surface winds and helps establish circulation cells, such as the Polar Cell. The interaction between polar highs and mid-latitude pressures also plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns across different regions.
• Discuss the effects of polar highs on weather systems beyond the polar regions.
  • Polar highs have significant effects on weather systems beyond the polar regions by influencing jet streams and mid-latitude cyclones. The presence of a strong polar high can lead to stable and clear conditions in surrounding areas while also causing shifts in storm tracks. This can result in altered precipitation patterns and temperature variations in regions far from the poles, demonstrating how interconnected global weather systems are.
• Evaluate the impact of changing climate conditions on the behavior of polar highs and their broader implications for global weather patterns.
  • As climate conditions change due to global warming, polar highs may exhibit altered behavior, potentially becoming weaker or more variable. This could disrupt established wind patterns and lead to more unpredictable weather events in mid-latitude regions. The instability in polar high systems may also exacerbate phenomena like Arctic amplification, further impacting global climate dynamics and posing challenges for weather forecasting and climate adaptation strategies.

Related terms

Antarctic Oscillation: A climate pattern in the Southern Hemisphere that describes the fluctuations of atmospheric pressure between the Antarctic region and the mid-latitudes, impacting weather patterns.

Arctic Amplification:

The phenomenon where temperatures in the Arctic increase at a faster rate than the global average, affecting weather patterns and climate systems.

Jet Streams: Narrow bands of strong winds high in the atmosphere that significantly influence weather and climate, interacting with polar highs and other atmospheric features.