Lågtrycksbältet

Lågtrycksbältet, often referred to as the subpolar low, describes a zone of low atmospheric pressure encircling the Earth at approximately 60 degrees latitude in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. These belts are characterized by persistent cyclonic activity, meaning they are regions where air masses converge and rise, leading to cloud formation and precipitation. The location of these low-pressure belts is not fixed but tends to shift seasonally, generally moving poleward in the summer and equatorward in the winter.

The subpolar lows are a fundamental component of the global atmospheric circulation. They are a consequence of the interaction between the cold, dense air from the polar regions and the warmer, less dense air from the temperate zones. This temperature contrast drives strong westerly winds in the middle latitudes, which in turn help to maintain the low-pressure systems. These belts are significant for weather patterns in the adjacent regions, influencing storm tracks and the distribution of precipitation across large areas. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Icelandic Low and the Aleutian Low are prominent examples of subpolar low-pressure systems. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties are associated with the strong westerly winds and storm systems found in the subpolar low-pressure zone.