WW2010
University of Illinois

WW2010
 
welcome
 
online guides
 
archives
 
educational cd-rom
 
current weather
 
about ww2010
 
index

Online Guides
 
introduction
 
meteorology
 
remote sensing
 
reading maps
 
projects, activities

Meteorology
 
introduction
 
air masses, fronts
 
clouds, precipitation
 
el nino
 
forces, winds
 
hurricanes
 
hydrologic cycle
 
light, optics
 
midlatitude cyclones
 
severe storms
 
weather forecasting

Forces, Winds
 
introduction
 
pressure
 
pressure gradient
 
coriolis force
 
geostrophic wind
 
gradient wind
 
friction
 
boundary layer wind
 
sea breezes
 
land breezes

Pressure
 
definition
 
variation with height
 
isobars
 
pressure surfaces
 
variation with temps
 
high pressure center
 
low pressure center
 
pressure gradient

User Interface
 
graphics
text

.
Pressure Gradient Force
points from higher to lower pressure

The change in pressure measured across a given distance called a Pressure Gradient.

The pressure gradient creates a net force that is directed from higher to lower pressure and is called the Pressure Gradient Force.

[Image: animation of air directed by the pressure gradient force (35K)]

This force is responsible for triggering the initial movement of air, which in turn leads to the development of wind. As air increases in velocity, it is deflected by the Coriolis Force.


Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.