“Atmospheric, Oceanic and Terrestrial Processes”

by
Khairulmaini Bin Osman Salleh
Professor
Department of Geography
University of Malaya
Director
University of Malaya’s Center for Climate Affairs
e-mail : khairulo@um.edu.my ; khairulmaini@gmail.com

Consultation Times : (1) Virtual (Anytime) (2) Formal (4-5pm after Lectures)
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Terrestrial Systems
Scales of Motion
The force which sets air in
horizontal motion from high
to low pressure is called the
pressure gradient force
(PGF).
The larger the pressure
gradient, the larger the
pressure gradient force and
the greater the speed of the
air.
• Air flows from areas of high
pressure to areas of low
pressure.
• When air flows away from a
center of high pressure, it is
deflected to the right by the
Coriolis force, causing spin
around the high in a
clockwise direction.
• When air flows toward a
center of low pressure, the
Coriolis force turns it toward
the right, causing spin
around the low in a
counterclockwise direction.
Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
The Coriolis
Effect

• objects in the atmosphere are influenced by the Earth’s

rotation
– Rotation of Earth is counter-clockwise
• results in an ‘apparent’ deflection (relative to surface)
• deflection to the right Northern Hemisphere (left, S.
Hemisphere)
• Greatest at the poles, 0 at the equator
• Increases with speed of moving object and distance
• CE changes direction not speed
The Geostrophic Wind
Basic Pressure Systems: 1.Low

L
Basic Pressure Systems: 2.High

H
Inter tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

ITCZ -- Moves South in January

Inter tropical Convergence Zone

ITCZ -- Moves North in July

 How do thunderstorms form?

Require three elements:

A source of moisture
A conditionally unstable
atmosphere
A mechanism to trigger a
thunderstorm updraft, either
through forced lifting or
heating
 Storms

The diagram of a hurricane

illustrates how air rises as heat is
released by condensation of
water vapor. The rising air is
replaced by air rushing in from the
sides. This in-rushing air creates
the high winds of a hurricane.

Hurricanes are characterized by

heavy rain and extreme winds.
Both processes result from one
cause: the condensation of huge
amounts of water vapor!!

© 2002 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

 Storms

The orange shaded areas show regions of warm tropical oceans over which hurricanes form. The
arrows show the paths of hurricanes once they form. Notice that these storms follow right-curving
paths in the Northern hemisphere and left-curving paths in the Southern hemisphere -- the Coriolis
effect in action!
 Monsoon (Winter)

Continents are dry (Dry Season)

 Monsoon (Summer)

Continents are wet (Rainy Season)

Monsoon Winds
 Indian Winter Monsoon (dry)

Cold, shallow High over

Nepal.
Winds from land.
Air subsides from the
highlands.
Climate fair and dry.
 Indian Summer Monsoon (wet)

Thermal low over Nepal.

Winds from sea.
Land slopes up.
Very wet.
425 in. of rain.
Latent heat release intensifies
the circulation.
Top: Sea breeze
created during the day
by cool air sinking over
the ocean and warm air
rising over the land.

Bottom: Land breeze

created during the night
by cool air sinking over
the land and warm air
rising over the ocean.

© 2002 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

Land Breeze-Sea Breeze
Mountain Breeze-Valley Breeze/
Drainage Winds (e.g. Bora,
Mistral)
Clouds Are Formed by Lifting
Chinook, Foehn, Santa Ana, Winds
Cold Front (top), Warm Front (bottom)