Does convergence cause air to rise?
The convergence of horizontal winds causes air to rise, whereas the divergence of horizontal winds causes downward motion of the air (subsidence). Ground-level atmospheric pressure is not affected by convergence if divergence of an equal magnitude occurs simultaneously at higher levels.
What is convergence in atmosphere?
A convergence zone in meteorology is a region in the atmosphere where two prevailing flows meet and interact, usually resulting in distinctive weather conditions. This causes a mass accumulation that eventually leads to a vertical movement and to the formation of clouds and precipitation.
What is convergence rising air?
Air moving in toward a center of low pressure or a trough is forced to rise, exhibiting a motion called convergence. Horizontal convergence, then, causes a mass of air to rise (increase its upward vertical velocity), which could decrease the stability of the air mass.
How does convergent winds cause air to rise?
At the surface, low pressure systems have a counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere, with the wind turning slightly inward towards the lowest pressure. This causes air to converge, or come together, at the center of the low near the ground. Since the converging air has nowhere else to go, it rises.
What causes stable air rise?
In scientific terms, the initial lifting of the stable low level dry air by the terrain causes the air to adiabatically expand and reach saturation, at which point the environment is unstable to moist lifting and convection is the result.
How does air rise in the atmosphere?
Atmospheric Pressure and Winds A few basic principles go a long way toward explaining how and why air moves: Warm air rising creates a low pressure zone at the ground. Air from the surrounding area is sucked into the space left by the rising air. Air flowing from areas of high pressure to low pressure creates winds.
What is convergence in air?
Convergence is an atmospheric condition that exists when there is a horizontal net inflow of air into a region. When air converges along the earth’s surface, it is forced to rise since it cannot go downward.
Where does convergent lifting occur?
In the center of low pressure areas, winds converge toward the center of the low due to the effects of friction. Since the air cannot go down into the earth, it must rise up. This lift due to convergence leads to the presence of clouds and precipitation near low pressure centers.
What does a convergence in the jet stream produce?
The tropopause is just above jet stream level. Convergence at the jet stream level forces air to sink because the highly stable tropopause prevents air from rising. (3) The Coriolis once again balances the Pressure Gradient Force.
What are the basic processes by which air is forced to rise?
There are three main ways by which uplift of air can occur: convection, front and orographic (mountain) uplift. In each case, the rising air is forced to cool by expansion, releasing condensation first as cloud, and if uplift and cooling continues, as rain, hail or snow.
How does convergence and divergence affect atmospheric pressure?
The convergence of horizontal winds causes air to rise, whereas the divergence of horizontal winds causes downward motion of the air (subsidence). Ground-level atmospheric pressureis not affected by convergence if divergence of an equal magnitude occurs simultaneously at higher levels.
What happens when air converges on the Earth?
Convergence is an atmospheric condition that exists when there is a horizontal net inflow of air into a region. When air converges along the earth’s surface, it is forced to rise since it cannot go downward.
Which is a process that gives rise to ascending air?
There are four main processes occurring at or near the earth’s surface which give can rise to ascending air: convergence, convection, frontal lifting and physical lifting. Convergence occurs when several surface air currents in the horizontal flow move toward each other to meet in a When they converge, there is only one way to go: Up.
What does the term convergence and divergence mean?
Convergence and divergence. The terms are usually used to refer specifically to the horizontal inflow (convergence) or outflow (divergence) of air. The convergence of horizontal winds causes air to rise, whereas the divergence of horizontal winds causes downward motion of the air (subsidence).
