Review Article Neurotoxicants Are in the Air: Convergence ...
Basic Convergence and Divergence. Definitions/Concepts Convergence is air coming together...
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Transcript of Basic Convergence and Divergence. Definitions/Concepts Convergence is air coming together...
Definitions/Concepts• Convergence is air coming together• Combination of confluence (air moving together) and speed
convergence (air slowing down over a distance)– Surface convergence associated with low pressure and potential
for rain, snow, thunderstorms, etc.– Upper-level convergence associated with sinking air and therefore
surface high pressure• Fair weather
• Divergence is air spreading apart • Combination of diffluence (air moving apart) and speed
divergence (air speeding up over a distance) – Surface divergence associated with high pressure and fair weather– Upper-level divergence associated with rising air and therefore
surface low pressure
Traffic Jam Analogy• Trough axis is the traffic jam.– Cars slow down approaching the traffic jam
(convergence)– Cars speed up exiting the traffic jam (divergence)
Trough Axis
DivergenceConvergence
Note: Divergence and convergence can’t actually be found on a map like this as they are mathematical quantities, but in general, divergence occurs downstream of a trough axis and convergence occurs upstream of a trough axis.
• What does this mean for forecasting?
• Basically: fair weather behind a trough axis and clouds/precip possible ahead of a trough axis