PRESSURE CENTERS AND

GLOBAL WINDS
Bell-ringer: What are the three factors that
control winds?

HIGHS AND LOWS

Cyclones: Centers of low pressure
Anticyclones: centers of high pressure

CYCLONIC AND ANTICYCLONIC WINDS

In the northern hemisphere
Winds blow counterclockwise around a
low pressure center
Winds blow clockwise around a high
pressure center

WEATHER AND AIR PRESSURE

Rising air = clouds and precipitation
Sinking air = clear skies

WEATHER FORECASTING
Use paths of cyclones and anticyclones
Low pressure can produce bad weather

GLOBAL WINDS
The atmosphere acts
as a heat-transfer
system
Moves warm air
toward high latitudes
Moves cold air
toward equator

BUT THE EARTH IS ROTATING

THE CONTINENTS
Land masses can disrupt the global
pattern of pressure zones
Monsoons: seasonal changes in winds
India has warm and rainy summers