ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Balance of Force in the Horizontal
L (low pressure)
H (high pressure)
pressure gradient
force
Text Box: geostrophic balance
geostrophic balance
Text Box: geostrophic balance
plus frictional force
geostrophic balance
plus frictional force
Upper Troposphere
  (free atmosphere)
Surface
Can happen in the tropics where the Coriolis force is small.
(from Weather & Climate)