Advection

Advection is the process by which heat and moisture are transferred horizontally in the atmosphere by the motion of air. This type of transfer is a major factor in the development of weather patterns. Advection can push warm air from the equator poleward, or it can shift cold air downwards from the poles. The advection of moisture is an important part of the water cycle, and it can cause precipitation over large distances. Advection is essential to the understanding of climate change, and it has many applications in weather forecasting and climate modelling.