Walkercirkulációt

Walkercirkulációt is a term used in meteorology to describe a specific atmospheric circulation pattern observed in the tropics. It is characterized by a large-scale, wave-like disturbance that propagates westward through the equatorial region. This circulation involves an upward motion of air in the western parts of the phenomenon and a downward motion in the eastern parts.

The Walker circulation is a key component of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. During normal conditions, there is a strong Walker circulation with easterly trade winds pushing warm surface water westward across the Pacific Ocean. This leads to cooler waters and upward air motion in the eastern Pacific (off the coast of South America) and warmer waters with downward air motion in the western Pacific (near Indonesia and Australia).

However, during El Niño events, the Walker circulation weakens, and the easterly trade winds diminish or even reverse. This allows warm water to shift eastward across the Pacific, leading to significant changes in weather patterns globally. Conversely, La Niña events involve a strengthening of the Walker circulation, leading to enhanced temperature and precipitation anomalies. The Walker circulation is thus a fundamental driver of interannual climate variability in the tropics and has far-reaching impacts on weather systems beyond this region.