Gradient wind

Any horizontal wind velocity tangent to the contour line of a constant-pressure surface (or to the isobar of a geopotential surface) at the point in question.
At such points where the wind is gradient, the Coriolis acceleration and the centripetal acceleration together exactly balance the horizontal pressure force:

where V_gr is the gradient wind speed, R is the radius of curvature of the path, f is the Coriolis parameter, g is the acceleration of gravity, z is the elevation of the constant-pressure surface, and n is the direction normal to the streamline and contour toward decreasing elevation, that is, to the left of the direction of flow in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere. Since R > 0 for cyclonic flow and R < 0 for anticyclonic flow, it follows that the cyclonic gradient speed is less than (and the anticyclonic gradient speed is greater than) the geostrophic wind speed for the same latitude and pressure force.
Holton, J. R. 1992. An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology. 3d edition, Academic Press, . 67–69.

(Term edited 5/23/2014)

1. The study of the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the earth's atmosphere, including the related effects at the air–earth boundary over both land and the oceans. Fundamental topics include the composition, structure, and motion of the atmosphere. The goals ascribed to meteorology are the complete understanding and accurate prediction of atmospheric phenomena.