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The global energy balance and atmospheric motion mainly determine

the circulation of the earth's atmosphere. There is a hierarchy of motion

in atmospheric circulation. Each control can be broken down into smaller

controlling factors. The global energy balance is an equal balance of

short-wave radiation coming into the atmosphere and long-wave radiation

going out of the atmosphere. This is called thermal equilibrium. The

earth is at thermal equilibrium; however, there can have a surplus or

deficit of energy in parts of the heat budget. If you have a net

radiation surplus warm air will rise, and a net radiation deficit will

make the air cool an fall. Air gets heated at the equator because of the

inter tropical convergence zone and rises to the poles. There the air is

cooled and it floats back down to the equator where the process is

repeated. Another major contributing factor to the circulation of the air

is due to the subtropical highs. These highs like the ITCZ migrate during

the different seasons.

The idealized belt model is a great representation of the general

circulation of the atmosphere. The equatorial belt of variable winds and

calms ranges from 5 degrees north to 5 degrees south. This wind belt is

characterized by weak winds and low pressure from the inter tropical

convergence zone. As you go further north or south you encounter the

Hadley Cells. Hadley cell circulation is caused by the movement of high

pressure from the latitudes at 5 to 30 degrees north and 5 to 30 degrees

south to low pressure areas around the equator.

The movement of air from high pressure to low pressure causes
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