Overview 

Recognize how temperature, pressure, and the 3-cell theory affect the general circulation of the Earths atmosphere. Describe how geostrophic wind, gradient wind, cyclostrophic wind, and fronts affect the direction of the wind.

Outline

World temperature gradient

Pressure over the globe

Elements of circulation

The 3-cell theory

Wind theory

Wind types

The general circulation theory attempts to explain the global circulation of the atmosphere with some minor exceptions. Since Earth heats unequally, the heat is carried away from the hot area to a cooler one as a result of the operation of physical laws. This global movement of air which restores a balance of heat on Earth is the general circulation.