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Tropical Meteorology. Neal M. Dorst June 2006. Global Circulation. Global Circulation. Global Circulation. Global Circulation. Global Circulation. Tropics - warm, moist, unstable Subtropics - warm, dry, stable Extratropics - seasonal, variable Subpolar - cold, moist, unstable
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Tropical Meteorology Neal M. Dorst June 2006
Global Circulation • Tropics - warm, moist, unstable • Subtropics - warm, dry, stable • Extratropics - seasonal, variable • Subpolar - cold, moist, unstable • Polar - cold, dry, stable
Tropical Meteorology We will concern ourselves with the weather and climate of the Tropics and Subtropical region
Tropical Meteorology The weather and climate of these regions is dominated by the Trade Winds and the Subtropical Highs.
Tropical Meteorology Air descending from the Subtropical High returns to the Intertropical Convergence Zone, is warmed, moistened, and lifted.
Tropical Meteorology The air in the Tropics is warm, moist, and unstable, (mT) and as such is dominated by convective activity. Thunderstorms are common and cumulus are the predominate cloud form.
Tropical Meteorology Tropical weather is driven more by diurnal heating cycles than fronts and shifts in air masses. Local effects, such as sea breeze/land breeze and forests and mountains have a large influence.
Tropical Meteorology The scientific study of tropical meteorology was minimal until World War 2, when forecasting for global shipping and aircraft movements became vital.
Tropical Meteorology Most of the world’s rainfall falls in the Tropics. Below light blue is 20 to 80 inches of precipitation per year. Dark blue is over 80 inches per year.
Tropical Meteorology Tropical meteorology involves the study of the trade winds, monsoons, and of tropical cyclones.