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• Coriolis effect is caused by Earth’s rotation.

• Wind is turned to the right relative of Earth’s surface in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left relative to Earth’s surface in the Southern Hemisphere.

• It must always be taken into account, even for launching rockets!

Coriolis Effect

Steak Scene - Napoleon Dynamite

Earth from SpaceEarth from Space

Coriolis Effect and Pressure Systems Coriolis Effect and Pressure Systems (Northern Hemisphere)(Northern Hemisphere)

Low Pressure and Coriolis Effect in the Low Pressure and Coriolis Effect in the Northern HemisphereNorthern Hemisphere

• High Pressure in N.H. - air flows outward and clockwise

• Low Pressure in N.H. - air flows inward and counterclockwise

More on the Coriolis EffectMore on the Coriolis Effect

More on the Coriolis EffectMore on the Coriolis Effect

Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

Cannons and Coriolis Effect

Coriolis Effect and Plane Flight

Coriolis Effect

Coriolis Effect Videos

Coriolis Effect Videos

• Friction also plays a larger role in how winds blow.

• Friction from the ground slows down the air and lessens the Coriolis effect.

• This is why it is often very windy near the ocean, at sea, or in places like Antarctica where the surface is all ice.

H

H

H

H

L

L

L

Polar High (90°N)

Subpolar Low

Subtropical High

Subpolar Low

Subtropical High

Equatorial Low

Polar High (90°S)

60°N

60°S

30°N

30°S

0°

“Polar Front”

COLD

WARM

“Horse Latitudes”

“Doldrums”“ITCZ”

Polar Southeasterlies

Prevailing Northwesterlies

Southeast Trade Winds

Northeast Trade Winds

Prevailing Southwesterlies

Polar Northeasterlies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coriolis_effect14.png

Infrared Loop

• http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/goeseastnheir.html

Global Satellite LoopGlobal Satellite Loop

http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/globalir.html

Global Satellite

Other

• Hurricane Katrina Loop