Geostrophic flow is a close Departures from geostrophic

approximation to observed winds balance arise due to:

throughout most of the free – constant changes in the
atmosphere, except near the pressure field
equator where the coriolis force – curvature in the isobars
approaches zero. – vertical wind shear

Significant departure from

geostrophic flow occurs near the
surface due to the effects of
friction.

ENVI1400 : Meteorology and Forecasting : lecture 3 13

 Centripetal Acceleration
Motion around a curved path requires HIGH
an acceleration towards the centre of Fc
curvature: the centripetal
acceleration. V Centripetal
acceleration

LOW
FP
FP

For a low, the coriolis force is less

Centripetal V than the pressure force; for a high it is
acceleration
greater than pressure force. This
Fc results in:
LOW: V < geostrophic
The required centripetal acceleration (subgeostrophic)
is provided by an imbalance between
the pressure and coriolis forces. HIGH: V > geostrophic
(supergeostrophic)
V is here called the gradient wind

ENVI1400 : Meteorology and Forecasting : lecture 3 14

 Effect of Friction
Geostrophic flow Friction at the surface slows the
away from surface wind. Turbulent mixing extends
effects of friction up to ~100 m to
~1.5 km above surface.
Lower wind speed results in a
smaller coriolis force, hence
reduced turning to right.
Wind vector describes a spiral:
the Ekman Spiral. Surface wind
lies to left of geostrophic wind
• 10-20 over ocean
Ekman Spiral • 25-35 over land
The wind speed a few metres
above the surface is ~70% of
geostrophic wind over the ocean,
even less over land (depending
Vg on surface conditions)
ENVI1400 : Meteorology and Forecasting : lecture 3 15
 Surface winds cross
isobars at 10-35

ENVI1400 : Meteorology and Forecasting : lecture 3 16