geostrophic wind
Pressure-gradient balanced breeze
Geostrophic wind is a theoretical wind that would result from perfect balance between the Coriolis force and atmospheric pressure gradients.
Real winds approximate this balance at higher altitudes, away from surface friction.
Meteorologists use geostrophic calculations to estimate wind speed and direction from pressure maps: The geostrophic wind at 500 millibars was from the southwest at forty knots.
circulation
High-altitude wind current
- westerliesWinds from the sunset
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
dynamics
Spatial variation in force
- Coriolis effectApparent deflection on rotating bodies
- isobarsEqual-pressure contour lines
- equilibriumState of balance
- Coriolis forceApparent deflection from rotation
jet stream
High-altitude wind current
- westerliesWinds from the sunset
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
pressure gradient
Spatial variation in force
- Coriolis effectApparent deflection on rotating bodies
- isobarsEqual-pressure contour lines
- equilibriumState of balance
weather map
Atmospheric conditions chart
- radiosondeBalloon-borne meteorological telemetry device
- meteorologyweather, rain, snow, clouds, storms
- wind systemstrade winds, westerlies, jet stream, easterlies, surface winds
- atmospheric pressureatmospheric pressure, air pressure, barometer, barograph, mercury barometer
- micrometeorologyboundary layer, turbulence, latent heat, energy balance, microclimate