weather models

The Walker circulation is the result of a difference in surface pressure and temperature over the western and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. A pressure gradient from east to west and causes surface air to from high pressure in the eastern Pacific to low pressure in the western Pacific. Higher up in the atmosphere, west-to-east winds complete the circulation.

Surface temperatures vary more than air temperatures during the day, but they both are fairly similar at night. The dip and spike in surface temperatures over the pond show how water maintains a fairly constant temperature day and night, due to its high heat capacity. The temperatures displayed do not represent absolute temperature values.

The Hadley Cell circulation illustrates how rising air in the superheated tropics descends in the subtropics. This creates high-pressure zones in subtropical regions, including the U.S. Southwest.

The air circulation patterns at 18,000 feet show the signature “anticyclone” that helps define the North American monsoon.

Daily temperature swings from early morning lows to afternoon highs are greater in the Southwest than along the Pacific coastline and the Eastern U.S. because of the region's lack of atmospheric moisture and clouds that moderate diurnal temperature patterns.

Statistical and dynamical downscaling techniques allow scientists to use global climate model outputs as inputs into regional climate and weather models.