Ferrel cell
The Ferrel cell or Mid Cell was proposed to account for mid latitude westerly winds as statistically averaged circulation where air converges at low altitudes and ascends along the boundaries of cool polar air and warm subtropical air around between 60 and 70 degrees north and south. It was proposed by William Ferrel in 1856 some 100 years after the proposed Hadley cell.
This type of air circulation occurs near the latitude of the UK and is the reason why the UK has such varying weather patterns. The circulation of this cell is impacted by the return flow of high altitude air around the tropics, where it joins sinking air from the Hadley cell. The Ferrel cell moves in opposite directions to that of the Hadley and Polar cells. The Polar cells are the weakest circulation cells which extend 60 to 70 degrees north and south, sinking over the highest latitudes and flowing out towards the lower latitudes at the surface. The Hadley cell extends from the equator to between 30 and 40 degrees North and South.
Atmospheric circulation around the earth is impacted by all three different cells (and jet streams) along with what is known as the Corriolis effect, which occurs a result of the earth’s spin, and describes why air moves in a certain direction around certain areas of low pressure.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.