Global atmospheric circulation consists of the observed wind systems with their annual and seasonal variations and is the principal factor in determining the distribution of climatic zones. The two major causes of global wind circulation are inequalities in radiation distribution over the Earth's surface and the Earth's rotation. Global radiation distribution drives global circulation, whereas the Earth's rotation determines its shape. Basically, the mean surface circulation consists of easterly winds with equatorial components in the tropics and westerly winds with poleward components in middle latitudes, the corresponding meridional flows aloft being reversed. Weak surface easterlies are found in the polar regions, and extensive areas of calms are found in the equatorial and subtropical regions. Strong, upper westerly winds are found poleward of about 25°N and 25°S.
Causes of the Global Atmospheric Circulation
Radiation Distribution
The planet Earth receives energy from the sun in...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barry, R. G., and R. J. Chorley, 1976. Atmosphere, Weather and Climate. London: Methuen.
Berlage, H. P., 1966. The southern oscillation and world weather, K. Meteorol. Inst. (The Hague) Med. Verhand. 88, 134.
Bjerknes, J., 1969. Atmospheric teleconnections from the equatorial Pacific, Monthly Weather Rev. 97, 163–72.
Corby, G. A., 1970. The global circulation of the atmosphere. London: Royal Meteorological Society.
Crowe, P. R., 1971. Concepts in Climatology. London: Longman.
Dietrich, G., and K. Kalle, 1957. Allgemeine Meereskunde, Berlin: Gebruder Borntraeger.
Findlater, J., 1969. A major low-level air current near the Indian Ocean during the northern summer, Q. Jour. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 95, 362–80.
Findlater, J., 1972. Aerial explorations of the low-level cross-equatorial current over eastern Africa. Q. Jour. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 98, 274–89.
Hadley, G., 1735. Concerning the cause of the general trade-winds, Royal Soc. London Philos. Trans. 29, 58–62.
Halley, E., 1686. An historical account of trade-winds and monsoons observable in the seas between and near the tropics with an attempt to assign the physical causes of the said winds, Royal Soc. London Philos. Trans. 26, 153–168.
Lamb, H. H., 1959. The southern westerlies, Q. Jour. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 85, 1–23.
Lamb, H. H., 1972. Climate: Present, Past and Future, vol. 1. London: Methuen.
Lighthill, J., and R. P. Pearce, 1981. Monsoon Dynamics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lockwood, J. G., 1974. World Climatology. London: Edward Arnold.
Lockwood, J. G., 1979. Causes of Climate. London: Edward Arnold.
Lockwood, J. G., 1985. World Climatic Systems. London: Edward Arnold.
Lorenz, E. N., 1967. The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere. Geneva: World Meteorological Organization.
Lutgens, F. K., and E. J. Tarbuck, 1979. The Atmosphere. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall.
Miller, F. R., and R. N. Keshavamurthy, 1968. Structure of an Arabian Sea Summer Monsoon System, Honolulu: East-West Center Press.
Neiburger, M., J. G. Edinger, and W. D. Bonner, 1982. Understanding Our Atmospheric Environment. San Francisco: Freeman.
Nieuwolt, S., 1977. Tropical Climatology. New York: Wiley.
Piazzi-Smyth, C., 1858. An astronomical experiment on the Peak of Teneriffe, Royal Soc. London Philos. Trans. 148, 465–534.
Riehl, H., 1962. The tropical circulation, Science 135, 13–22.
Riehl, H., 1969. On the role of the tropics in the general circulation of the atmosphere, Weather 24, 288–308.
Riehl, H., 1978. Introduction to the Atmosphere. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Riehl, H., 1979. Climate and Weather in the Tropics. London: Academic Press.
Rossby, C. G., 1939. Relation between variations in the intensity of the zonal circulation of the atmosphere and the displacements of the semipermanent centres of action, Jour. Marine Research 2, 38–55.
Rossby, C. G., 1940. Planetary flow patterns in the atmosphere, Q. Jour. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 66, 68–87.
Rossby, C. G., 1945. On the propagation and energy in certain types of oceanic and atmospheric waves, Jour. Meteorol. 2, 187–204.
Troup, A. J., 1965. The southern oscillation, Q. Jour. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 91, 490–506.
Vowinckel, E., and S. Orvig, 1970. The climate of the north polar basin, in Climates of the Polar Regions, in S. Orvig (ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 129–252.
Walker, G. T., and E. W. Bliss, 1932. World weather V, Royal Meteorol. Soc. Mem. 4(36), 53–84.
Cross-references
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Van Nostrand Reinhold
About this entry
Cite this entry
Lockwood, J.G. (1987). Atmospheric circulation, global . In: Climatology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30749-4_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30749-4_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-87933-009-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-30749-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive