PRESSURE GRADIANT

PRESSURE GRADIANT
• A pressure gradient is the rate of change (gradient) of atmospheric
(barometric) pressure with regard to horizontal distance at a given
point in time. The value is usually expressed in mb per 100 mi.
• The pressure gradient is a force (P) that acts in a direction from
higher toward lower pressure. In the atmosphere the pressure
gradient force is directed perpendicular to the isobaric surfaces. It
can be divided into two components, one that points vertically
upward (Pv) and one that is horizontal (PH). The vertical component
is balanced by gravity and is very small. However, small deviations
are very important in the cloud formation process
PRESSURE GRADIANT
 PRESSURE GRADIANT
• The horizontal component can produce relatively
large accelerations. The size of PHdepends on the
rate of change of pressure in the horizontal
direction. Where the isobars are close together, the
horizontal pressure gradient force is large; where
the isobars are far apart, it is weak. A large (steep)
gradient produces strong winds. Weaker winds
are...
PRESSURE GRADIANT
 PRESSURE GRADIANT
• The pressure-gradient force is the force that results
when there is a difference in pressure across a
surface. In general, a pressure is a force per unit
area, across a surface. A difference in pressure
across a surface then implies a difference in force,
which can result in an acceleration according to
Newton’s second law of motion, if there is no
additional force to balance it. The resulting force is
always directed from the region of higher-pressure
to the region of lower-pressure.
 PRESSURE GRADIANT
• When a fluid is in an equilibrium state (i.e. there are no
net forces, and no acceleration), the system is referred
to as being in hydrostatic equilibrium. In the case of
atmospheres, the pressure-gradient force is balanced
by the gravitational force, maintaining hydrostatic
equilibrium. In Earth’s atmosphere, for example, air
pressure decreases at altitudes above Earth's surface,
thus providing a pressure-gradient force which
counteracts the force of gravity on the atmosphere
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• So how does atmospheric pressure relate to daily weather
patterns?  No doubt you’ve seen weather forecasts presented on
television; the on-camera weathercaster making reference to
high pressure and low pressure systems.  What is that all about?
• Basically, in a nutshell, every day the heat of the sun varies all
over the Earth.  Because of unequal solar heating, temperatures
vary over the entire globe; the air at the equator is much warmer
than at the poles.  So the warm, light air rises and spreads
toward the poles and the colder, heavier air sinks toward the
equator. 
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• But we live on a planet that rotates, so this simple
wind pattern is distorted to such a degree that the
air is twisted to the right of its direction of motion
in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the
Southern Hemisphere.  Today we know this effect as
the Coriolis Force and as a direct consequence,
great wind spirals are produced which we know as
high and low pressure systems.
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the air in low pressure
areas spirals counter clockwise and inward —
hurricanes, for instance, are Coriolis mechanisms,
circulating air counter clockwise.  In contrast, high
pressure systems the air spirals clockwise and
outward from the centre.  In the Southern
Hemisphere the direction of the spiralling of the air
is reversed.
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• So why do we generally associate high pressure with
fair weather and low pressure with unsettled
weather? 
• High pressure systems are “domes of density” that
press down, while low pressure systems are akin to
“atmospheric valleys” where the density of the air is
less.  Since cool air has less of a capacity to hold
water vapour as opposed to warm air, clouds and
precipitation are caused by cooling the air. 
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• So by increasing the air pressure, the temperature
rises; underneath those high pressure domes, the
air tends to sink (called “subsidence”) into the lower
levels of the atmosphere where temperatures are
warmer and can hold more water vapour.  Any
droplets that might lead to the formation of clouds
would tend to evaporate.  The end result tends to
be a clearer and drier environment.
 PRESSURE GRADIANT AND WEATHER
PATTERNS
• Conversely, if we decrease the air pressure, the air tends
to rise into the higher levels of atmosphere where
temperatures are colder.  As the capacity to hold water
vapour diminishes, the vapour rapidly condenses and
clouds (which are composed of countless billions of tiny
water droplets or, at very high altitudes, ice crystals) will
develop and ultimately precipitation will fall.   Of course,
we could not forecast zones of high and low pressure
without employing some sort of device to measure
atmospheric pressure.