Strength of the geostrophic flow

A mathematical perspective......

Remember that the pressure gradient (PGF) and the coriolis forces (CF) are equal and opposite for geostrophic flow: 

Mathematically, PGF = CF

For the pressure gradient force:   

where:

• r = density of the air
• DP is the change in pressure
• d is the distance

For the coriolis force:   

where:

• W is the rotation rate of the earth
• V_g is the geostrophic velocity
• f is the latitude that you are at