upcurrent
Ascending atmospheric stream
An upcurrent is a current flowing upward—typically of air or water.
Warm air creates upcurrents that birds and gliders exploit for lift.
In water, upcurrents bring nutrients from the depths toward the surface.
As an adverb or adjective, upcurrent describes movement or position against the current's flow: We paddled upcurrent toward the headwaters.
Power working against another
- counterflowCurrent opposing another
- headwindWind against travel direction
- dragResistance through fluid
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
impedance · backpressure · turbulence · buffeting · obstruction · hindrance · countervailing
Upward air movement
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- soarAscend to heights
glider · sailplane · cumulus · ridge lift · warm front · paragliding · hawk · vulture
Deep water rising surfaceward
- thermoclineRapid temperature-change layer
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- gyreCircular or spiral motion
- eddyCircular counter-current
deep water · surface water · marine ecosystem · phytoplankton · chlorophyll · fishing grounds · cold water · ocean circulation
Flow opposing main direction
- eddyCircular counter-current
- backwaterStagnant side channel
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
- salmon runSeasonal upstream fish trek
spawning · riffle · confluence · tidal bore · snag · obstruction · migration · anadromous
opposing force
Power working against another
- counterflowCurrent opposing another
- headwindWind against travel direction
- dragResistance through fluid
friction · impedance · backpressure · turbulence · buffeting · obstruction · hindrance · countervailing
updraft
Upward air movement
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
soar · glider · sailplane · cumulus · ridge lift · warm front · paragliding · hawk · vulture · raptor
upwelling
Deep water rising surfaceward
- thermoclineRapid temperature-change layer
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- gyreCircular or spiral motion
eddy · deep water · surface water · marine ecosystem · phytoplankton · chlorophyll · fishing grounds · cold water · ocean circulation · productivity
countercurrent
Flow opposing main direction
salmon run · spawning · riffle · confluence · tidal bore · snag · obstruction · migration · anadromous · stream
upcurrentdowncurrent
Descending mass of fluid
downdraft · downwelling · subsidence · downrush · downflow
up, current, currently, currents, currency, currencies, occur, occurred, occurring