Atmospheric circulation is the large scale movement of air by which heat is distributed on the surface of the Earth. The wind belts and the jet streams girdling the planet are steered by three convection cells: the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the Polar cell.

The Circulation of Air in the Atmosphere


Air circulation in the atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining weather patterns, distributing heat, and maintaining the Earth's climate. The movement of air is driven by various factors such as the uneven heating of Earth's surface, rotation of the Earth, and the presence of landforms and bodies of water. Understanding the circulation of air is essential in comprehending weather phenomena and climate patterns.


The circulation of air in the atmosphere occurs on both local and global scales. On a global scale, there are three primary circulation cells known as the Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell. These cells are responsible for redistributing heat from the equator towards the poles.


- The Hadley cell is located near the equator and is driven by the intense solar radiation received at this region.
- Warm air at the equator rises, creating a low-pressure area and forming the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
- As the air rises, it cools, condenses, and releases moisture, leading to the formation of tropical rainforests.
- The cooled air then moves towards the poles at high altitudes, creating the trade winds in the tropics.


- The Ferrel cell is located between the Hadley and Polar cells.
- It is driven by the interaction between the polar and subtropical air masses.
- Air moves from the subtropics towards the subpolar regions, where it rises due to the collision of warm and cold air masses.
- The rising air cools, condenses, and forms clouds, resulting in precipitation in these regions.
- At high altitudes, the air moves towards the subtropical regions, completing the Ferrel cell.


- The Polar cell is located near the poles and is driven by the cold air sinking and flowing towards lower latitudes.
- The sinking air creates high-pressure regions near the poles.
- As the air moves towards the lower latitudes, it is deflected by the Coriolis effect, creating the polar easterlies.
- These easterlies converge with the Ferrel cell at the subpolar regions, forming a polar front where warm and cold air masses collide.


In addition to the global circulation cells, local factors such as land and sea breezes, mountain and valley breezes, and monsoons also influence the circulation of air on a smaller scale.


- During the day, land heats up faster than water, creating a low-pressure area over land.
- Air moves from the sea towards the land, resulting in a cool sea breeze.
- At night, land cools down faster than water, creating high pressure over land.
- Air moves from the land towards the sea, resulting in a cool land breeze.


- During the day, mountains heat up faster than valleys, creating a low-pressure area over the mountains.
- Air moves from the valley towards the mountains, resulting in an upslope breeze.
- At night, the mountains cool down faster than the valleys, creating high pressure over the mountains.
- Air moves from