ENVIR

SC
1C03
ENVIR SC
Climate, Water, and
Climate, Water, and
Environment
Environment

1C03

Lecture 12 Winds

Outline
1. Winds
2. Pressure on Maps
3. Generation of Pressure Gradients
4. Convergence and Divergence

Key Concepts
What are Winds and the forces driving them
How pressure gradients are represented on
maps
Land and ocean pressure gradients;
mountain and valley breeze
Convergence and Divergence

1. Winds

Caused by:

2. Pressure on Maps
Constant height:
On maps:

Winds and Temperature on Maps

H:
L:

Pressure Gradients on Maps

Pressure gradient crosses isobars:

Wind Pattern Development

Wind Direction

3. Generation of Pressure Gradients

e.g.:
hPa

hPa

hPa
p = 500 hPa

p = 1000 hPa

hPa

hPa

hPa

hPa

hPa

Sea Breeze

Sea Breeze

Valley Breeze

Mountain Breeze

Wind Pattern Development

4. Convergence (and Divergence)

Convergence at
surface

Cyclones and Anticyclones

Divergence

Divergence at
surface

Cyclones and Anticyclones

Convergence & Divergence

Conclusion
The horizontal movement of air as winds is
triggered by differences in:
The direction of geostrophic winds is dictated by
the:

At the surface the:

Air moves from:

TO DO!!!
1. Listen to Modules 12, if not already
listened to
2. Read: Ross - Chapters 11, 12; de Blij
Chapter 11 in the textbook
3. This week: Listen to Lab 4 online module
+ read custom courseware