ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA & STRUCTURES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Hadley circulation Hadley cells. Image credit: NASA An average thermal circulation in a planet’s atmosphere due to warm air rising at lower latitudes, moving to higher latitudes, then descending and moving back to lower latitudes nearer the surface. On Earth, such circulations, known as Hadley cells, exist between the equator and 30° N/S (the most prominent and permanent cells), 30° N/S and 60° N/S, and 60° N/S and the poles. On Venus, a single cell extends from the equator to the poles. On Mars, Hadley circulation is strongest in the northern winter, especially when the atmosphere is dusty, and weakest at the equinoxes, while during solstice seasons, it consists of a strong cross-equatorial surface flow with rising motion in the summer hemisphere, return flow at high altitude, and descent in mid-latitudes of the winter hemisphere. The effect was first discussed in 1735 by the English meteorologist George Hadley (1685-1768). Related category    • ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA AND STRUCTURES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP