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Global Atmospheric Circulation and Pressure Belts

Tap a pressure belt to see how it forms.

Equatorial Low Pressure Belt

Near the equator, intense solar heating causes warm, moist air to rise, creating a low-pressure zone associated with frequent rainfall and the world's tropical rainforests.

Subtropical High Pressure Belt

Around 30 degrees latitude, the air that rose at the equator descends after cooling and losing moisture, creating dry, high-pressure conditions responsible for many of the world's major desert regions.

Subpolar Low Pressure Belt

Around 60 degrees latitude, warmer air from the subtropics meets colder polar air, causing the warmer air to rise and creating a low-pressure zone associated with frequent storms.

Polar High Pressure Belt

At the poles, extremely cold, dense air sinks, creating a high-pressure zone characterized by very dry conditions despite the presence of ice and snow.

Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar Cells

These pressure belts are connected by three major circulation patterns in each hemisphere β€” the Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell β€” which together move heat and moisture around the globe.

Why deserts cluster around 30 degrees latitude

One of the most useful applications of this system is explaining why many of the world's major deserts β€” the Sahara, the Arabian Desert, and inland Australia β€” are located around 30 degrees north and south latitude: this is precisely where the dry, descending air of the subtropical high pressure belt suppresses rainfall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these pressure belts stay in exactly the same place all year?

No β€” the belts shift slightly north and south with the seasons, following the sun's changing angle, which is part of why some regions experience distinct wet and dry seasons.

How do these pressure belts relate to trade winds?

The trade winds are surface winds that blow from the subtropical high pressure belts toward the equatorial low pressure belt, forming a key part of the Hadley cell circulation.