ccw.
counterclockwise
Describe the pattern of regional surface winds around the center of a low pressure system in the northern hemisphere?
4 answers
I do not know if you know about conservation of angular momentum so will assume not.
imagine a low over New York.
I particle of air from up around Albany is drawn South to the low.
HOWEVER
The particle was moving east with the surface of earth toward the sunrise at some speed V
As it goes south, the speed of the surface of the earth is faster east than our particle and our particle is left behind, west of the low at NY because as you go toward the equator your radius from the axis of rotation of the earth increases.
Conversely a particle from somewhere south in New Jersey moves North toward the low. It is moving faster east than the earth at the new smaller northern radius, Therefore it is moving EAST of our low at New York.
SO
the particle moving south from Albany ends up west of new york
the particle moving north from New Jersey ends up east of New York
Draw a picture now.
You have a counterclockwise rotation of air now around New york.
Sometimes this is called the "Coriolis effect".
It is really nothing but common sense though when you think about it :)
imagine a low over New York.
I particle of air from up around Albany is drawn South to the low.
HOWEVER
The particle was moving east with the surface of earth toward the sunrise at some speed V
As it goes south, the speed of the surface of the earth is faster east than our particle and our particle is left behind, west of the low at NY because as you go toward the equator your radius from the axis of rotation of the earth increases.
Conversely a particle from somewhere south in New Jersey moves North toward the low. It is moving faster east than the earth at the new smaller northern radius, Therefore it is moving EAST of our low at New York.
SO
the particle moving south from Albany ends up west of new york
the particle moving north from New Jersey ends up east of New York
Draw a picture now.
You have a counterclockwise rotation of air now around New york.
Sometimes this is called the "Coriolis effect".
It is really nothing but common sense though when you think about it :)
Thanks
You are welcome. Now remember how I did that because there is much confusion.
If we were only in a satellite looking down on it, it would be easy :)
If we were only in a satellite looking down on it, it would be easy :)
1 answer