Which atmospheric circulation cell is the middle cell in each hemisphere, with rising air around 60 degrees latitude and sinking around 30 degrees latitude?

Which atmospheric circulation cell is the middle cell in each hemisphere, with rising air around 60 degrees latitude and sinking around 30 degrees latitude?

• A. Hadley Cell
• B. Ferrel Cell
• C. Polar Cell
• D. Trade Wind Cell

Answer: (B)

Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation between the tropical Hadley cell and the Polar cell is the Ferrel cell. In this cell, air tends to rise around 60 degrees latitude and sink around 30 degrees latitude. This pattern arises because heat transport by the Hadley cell to the subtropics and the cold air from the poles interact, creating a circulation that lifts air at about 60° and allows it to descend near 30°, with air returning toward the equator at the surface to produce the mid-latitude westerlies. The Hadley cell rises at the equator and sinks at about 30°, while the Polar cell rises near 60° and sinks at the poles, so the described rising and sinking locations fit the Ferrel cell exactly.

Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation between the tropical Hadley cell and the Polar cell is the Ferrel cell. In this cell, air tends to rise around 60 degrees latitude and sink around 30 degrees latitude. This pattern arises because heat transport by the Hadley cell to the subtropics and the cold air from the poles interact, creating a circulation that lifts air at about 60° and allows it to descend near 30°, with air returning toward the equator at the surface to produce the mid-latitude westerlies. The Hadley cell rises at the equator and sinks at about 30°, while the Polar cell rises near 60° and sinks at the poles, so the described rising and sinking locations fit the Ferrel cell exactly.