Abstract
The mean meridional circulation in winter and summer is derived as a function of latitude and height from an analysis of observed winds in the area 160°W‐0‐40°E, 75°N‐15°N. The results confirm the classical idea of a direct circulation in low latitudes, but the indirect circulation in middle latitudes is stronger than expected. An investigation of the energy released by the meridional circulation implies that it is of comparable importance to large‐scale disturbances in the energy balance of the general circulation.

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