Zonal and meridional flow

Zonal flow is motion along lines of latitude, generally east–west; meridional flow is motion along lines of longitude, generally north–south. Together they describe horizontal fluid motion relative to Earth’s coordinate grid.

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Latitude: Latitude measures angular position north or south of the equator. Zonal motion follows lines of constant latitude.
Coriolis effect: The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects in a rotating reference frame. Earth’s rotation alters the paths and balance of zonal and meridional motion.
Atmospheric circulation: Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air around Earth. Its circulation patterns are resolved into zonal and meridional components.
Zonal circulation: Zonal circulation is large-scale atmospheric or oceanic motion organized mainly along latitude circles. It emphasizes east–west organization rather than the north–south component.
Longitude: Longitude measures angular position east or west of a reference meridian. Meridional motion follows lines of constant longitude.
Geostrophic wind: Geostrophic wind is flow in which the pressure-gradient force balances the Coriolis force. Its components describe balanced horizontal flow around pressure patterns.
Jet stream: A jet stream is a narrow band of strong winds in the upper troposphere or lower stratosphere. Jet streams are prominent examples of strong zonal atmospheric flow.
Meridional circulation: Meridional circulation is large-scale fluid motion organized mainly along longitude lines. It emphasizes north–south organization rather than the east–west component.
Velocity: Velocity is the rate and direction of change in an object's position. The two flow components are directional components of fluid velocity.
Rossby wave: A Rossby wave is a large-scale atmospheric or oceanic wave shaped by planetary rotation and latitude-dependent Coriolis effects. Its meanders produce alternating zonal and meridional flow.