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Atmospheric Circulation
Hadley Cells continued
4) Trade winds and the
Intertropical Convergence Zone
Some of the sinking air returns to the Equator from the subtropics. It is deflected by the coriolis force on its way, resulting in northeasterly winds in the Northern Hemisphere and southeasterly winds in the Southern Hemisphere.
These winds are called the "trade winds," because winds from the northeast provided sailing ships with an ocean route to the New World and a way to trade goods between the continents (as long as they didn't get stuck in the horse latitudes!).
The winds from the northeast and southeast run into each other near the Equator along a boundary called the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The converging air is forced to rise, and thus continues the cycle of moving air in the tropics and subtropics.
And this completes our air parcel's journey within the "Hadley Cell," which is instrumental in transporting heat poleward.
Next page -> Ferrel Cell
Links and resources
Hadley Cells continued
4) Trade winds and theIntertropical Convergence Zone
Some of the sinking air returns to the Equator from the subtropics. It is deflected by the coriolis force on its way, resulting in northeasterly winds in the Northern Hemisphere and southeasterly winds in the Southern Hemisphere.
These winds are called the "trade winds," because winds from the northeast provided sailing ships with an ocean route to the New World and a way to trade goods between the continents (as long as they didn't get stuck in the horse latitudes!).
The winds from the northeast and southeast run into each other near the Equator along a boundary called the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The converging air is forced to rise, and thus continues the cycle of moving air in the tropics and subtropics.
And this completes our air parcel's journey within the "Hadley Cell," which is instrumental in transporting heat poleward.
Next page -> Ferrel Cell
Links and resources
