Chapter V we studied the direction and rate of temperature decrease, or

temperature gradient. We saw that the direction of this decrease varies in different parts of the map, and that the rate, which depends upon the closeness of the isotherms, also varies. An understanding of temperature gradients makes it easy to study the directions and rates of pressure decrease, or _pressure gradients_, as they are commonly called. Examine the series of isobaric charts to see how the lines of pressure decrease run. Draw lines of pressure decrease for the six isobaric charts, as you have already done on the isothermal charts. When the isobars are near together, the lines of pressure decrease may be drawn heavier, to indicate a more rapid rate of decrease of pressure. Fig. 39 shows lines of pressure decrease for the first day. Note how the arrangement and direction of these lines change from one map to the next. Compare these lines with the lines of temperature decrease.

Next study the _rate_ of pressure decrease. This rate depends upon the closeness of the isobars, just as the rate of temperature decrease depends upon the closeness of the isotherms. Examine the rates of pressure decrease upon the series of isobaric charts. On which charts do you find the most rapid rate? Where? On which the slowest? Where? Do you discover any relation between rate of pressure decrease and the pressure itself? What relation?

When expressed numerically, the barometric gradient is understood to mean the number of hundredths of an inch of change of pressure in one latitude degree. Prepare a scale of latitude degrees, and measure rates of pressure decrease, just as you have already done in the case of temperature. In this case, instead of dividing the difference in temperature between the isotherms (10° = _T_) by the distance between the isobars (_D_), we substitute for 10° of temperature .10 inch of pressure (_P_). Otherwise the operation is precisely the same as described in Chapter V. The rule may be stated as follows: Select the station for which you wish to know the rate of pressure decrease or the barometric gradient. Lay your scale through the station, and as nearly as possible at right angles to the adjacent isobars. If the station is exactly on an isobar, then measure the distance _from_ the station to the nearest isobar indicating a lower pressure. The scale must, however, be laid perpendicularly to the isobars, as before. Divide the number of hundredths of an inch of pressure difference between the isobars (always .10 inch) by the number expressing the distance (in latitude degrees) between the isobars; the quotient is the rate of pressure decrease per latitude degree. Or, to formulate the operation,

_R_ = _P_ / _D_,

in which _R_ = rate; _P_ = pressure difference between isobars (always .10 inch), and _D_ = distance between the isobars in latitude degrees.

Determine the rates of pressure decrease in the following cases:——

_A._ For a number of stations in different parts of the same map, as, _e.g._, Boston, New York, Washington, Charleston, New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul, Denver, and on the same day.

_B._ For one station during a winter month and during a summer month, measuring the rate on each map throughout the month, and obtaining an average rate for the month.

Have these gradients at the different stations any relation to the proximity of low or high pressure? To the velocity of the wind?

=Pressure Gradients on Isobaric Charts of the Globe.=——The change from low pressure to high pressure or _vice versa_ with the seasons, already noted as being clearly shown on the isobaric charts of the globe, evidently means that the directions of pressure decrease must also change from season to season. The rates of pressure decrease likewise do not remain the same all over the world throughout the year. If we examine isobaric charts for January and July, we shall find that these gradients are stronger or steeper over the Northern Hemisphere in the former month than in the latter.