Distribution of global precip - West

  • global precipitation distribution is tied to the general circulation...
  • tropics are wet
    • abundant moisture and ITCZ
  • subtropics are influenced by subtropical highs
    • Bermuda vs Pacific Highs
  • mid latitudes
  • polar regions tend to be dry
    • little moisture
    • polar high

images from Meteorology Today by C. Donald Ahrens  © 1994 West Publishing Company