Zonal and meridional flow
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Zonal and meridional flow are
In the context of physics, zonal flow connotes a tendency of flux to conform to a pattern parallel to the equator of a sphere. In meteorological term regarding atmospheric circulation, zonal flow brings a temperature contrast along the Earth's longitude. Extratropical cyclones in zonal flows tend to be weaker, moving faster and producing relatively little impact on local weather.
Extratropical cyclones in meridional flows tend to be stronger and move slower. This pattern is responsible for most instances of extreme weather, as not only are storms stronger in this type of flow regime, but temperatures can reach extremes as well, producing heat waves and cold waves depending on the equator-ward or poleward direction of the flow.
For
In plasma physics
See also
- Zonal and poloidal
- Zonal flow (plasma)
- Meridione
Notes
- ^ "Zonal". Glossary of Meteorology. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "Meridional". Glossary of Meteorology. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 12 January 2018.