In the figure above, pressure (or height contours) are represented as solid curves. The temperature contours (isotherms) are shown in dashed curves. Barotropic waves, or a barotropic atmosphere, is one in which pressure (or height) contours run parallel to temperature contours. That is, there is no "crossing" of the two different types of contours. This characteristic is shown in the figure above.

In the figure above, pressure (or height contours) are represented as solid curves. The temperature contours (isotherms) are shown in dashed curves. A baroclinic wave, or baroclinic atmosphere, occurs when the preesure (or height) contours cross the temperature contours. This is shown in the second figure above.