A tropical atmospheric overturning circulation with rising air near the equator, poleward flow aloft, subtropical descent and an equatorward lower return. In its ideal upper branch, conservation of angular momentum gives for air initially at rest relative to the equatorial surface. Eddies and friction modify this idealization.
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The Hadley cell is a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that occurs in the tropics. It is named after the British meteorologist George Hadley, who described it in the 18th century. The Hadley cell is characterized by the following features: 1. **Warm Air Rising**: Near the equator, intense solar heating warms the surface air, causing it to rise. As air rises, it cools and expands, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation.