A linearized numerical model of the steady axially symmetric motions on a sphere is developed and applied to the earth's atmosphere. The motions are driven by radiative cooling, conduction of heat from the surface and applied heat sources. The applied heat sources are meant to represent the zonally averaged effect on the large scale of cumulus convection. Frictional effects included are small-scale turbulent mixing in the vertical, represented by eddy viscosity, and “cumulus friction.” The model results show that cumulus heating and friction drive a meridional circulation comparable to the observed. Detrainment of tall cumulus leads to a horizontal temperature gradient reversal near the tropical tropopause, as is observed. Sea surface temperature gradients are shown to drive a significant meridional circulation below 800 mb. If the cumulus precipitation is proportional to the moisture convergence in the lower atmospheric layers, the moisture convergence produced by the mass circulation driven by ... Abstract A linearized numerical model of the steady axially symmetric motions on a sphere is developed and applied to the earth's atmosphere. The motions are driven by radiative cooling, conduction of heat from the surface and applied heat sources. The applied heat sources are meant to represent the zonally averaged effect on the large scale of cumulus convection. Frictional effects included are small-scale turbulent mixing in the vertical, represented by eddy viscosity, and “cumulus friction.” The model results show that cumulus heating and friction drive a meridional circulation comparable to the observed. Detrainment of tall cumulus leads to a horizontal temperature gradient reversal near the tropical tropopause, as is observed. Sea surface temperature gradients are shown to drive a significant meridional circulation below 800 mb. If the cumulus precipitation is proportional to the moisture convergence in the lower atmospheric layers, the moisture convergence produced by the mass circulation driven by ...