Definition
The rate of pressure change per unit distance, seen on a chart as isobar spacing. Tightly packed isobars mean a steep gradient and strong winds; widely spaced isobars mean light winds. Wind speed is roughly proportional to the gradient, but for a given isobar spacing the geostrophic wind is stronger at low latitudes because the Coriolis parameter is smaller, so identical spacing implies very different strengths at 20 and 60 degrees latitude.
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