Hadley cell

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A global-scale tropical atmospheric circulation that features air rising near the Equator, flowing poleward at a height of 10 to 15 kilometers above the earth's surface, descending in the subtropics, and then returning equatorward near the surface. This circulation creates the trade winds, tropical rain-belts and hurricanes, subtropical deserts and the jet streams.

Word forms

Hadley cell Hadley cells

Etymology

Named after amateur meteorologist George Hadley.

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