Texas A&M University (TAMU) ATMO201 Weather and Climate Exam 2 Practice

Surface warming plays a significant role in the dynamics of the atmosphere, specifically in relation to pressure gradients. When the surface warms, it typically causes the air above it to also warm and rise. This rising air creates a region of lower pressure at the surface, resulting in a difference in pressure between areas of varying temperatures. As warm air rises, the surrounding cooler air moves in to replace it, contributing to an enhanced pressure difference.

The strength of the pressure gradient is crucial for the development of wind and weather patterns; stronger pressure gradients lead to stronger winds. Thus, surface warming enhances these pressure differences, leading to increased atmospheric circulation and often influencing weather phenomena, including storms and changes in local climate patterns. Understanding this relationship is critical for grasping how changes in temperature can affect atmospheric behavior.