Why do winds move parallel to isobars high above Earth's surface, but angle across the isobars near the surface?


At high altitudes, the Coriolis effect acts to counterbalance the pressure gradient force, and the wind flows parallel to the isobars. Near the surface, friction is added to this relationship, reducing the Coriolis effect but not affecting the pressure gradient force. If the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis effect are not in balance, surface winds flow across the isobars into areas of low pressure.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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