What Makes the Wind

Summary

Duane Friend from the University of Illinois Extension explains the dynamics of wind, which is driven by differences in air pressure. He discusses how temperature affects air density and pressure, leading to the movement of air from high to low pressure. The Coriolis effect, resulting from the Earth's rotation, influences wind direction, creating patterns such as the Northeast Trades, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies. The summary highlights the interplay between atmospheric pressure and temperature, emphasizing how these elements shape local and global wind patterns.

Takeaways

• 🌬️ Wind is caused by differences in air pressure, which results from temperature variations.
• 📏 Air has mass, and at sea level, every square inch exerts almost 15 pounds of force due to its weight.
• ☀️ Warmer temperatures cause air to expand and rise, leading to decreased air pressure.
• ❄️ Colder temperatures make air denser, causing it to sink and increase air pressure.
• ⬇️ Low air pressure results in rising air, which requires surrounding air to move in to replace it.
• ⬆️ High pressure is associated with sinking air that spreads out, causing wind to flow from high to low pressure.
• 🌍 The Earth's rotation affects wind direction through the Coriolis effect, altering wind paths.
• 🌀 In the northern hemisphere, winds move counter-clockwise towards low pressure and clockwise away from high pressure.
• 🌀 Major wind bands across the Earth include the Northeast Trades, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies.
• 🗺️ Local weather patterns are influenced by prevailing winds and smaller pressure systems on a weather map.

Q & A

What is the primary reason for the formation of wind?

Wind forms due to differences in air pressure, which are caused by variations in temperature and air density.

How does temperature affect air pressure?

Warmer temperatures cause air to expand and rise, which decreases air pressure, while colder temperatures cause air to sink and compress, increasing air pressure.

What role does the Coriolis effect play in wind movement?

The Coriolis effect alters the direction of wind movement due to the Earth's rotation, causing winds in the northern hemisphere to move counter-clockwise into low pressure and clockwise away from high pressure.

What are the main prevailing wind bands in the northern hemisphere?

The main prevailing wind bands include the North East Trades, which come from the northeast near the equator, the Westerlies, which come from the west between the equator and the North Pole, and the Polar Easterlies, which come from the east near the North Pole.

How does local weather get influenced by larger wind patterns?

Local weather is influenced by the major bands of wind, as well as smaller pressure areas that can affect wind direction on a more localized scale.

What happens to air in areas of low pressure?

In areas of low pressure, air rises, leading to a decrease in air density and allowing more air from the surrounding areas to flow in to replace it.

Why is it important to observe weather maps?

Observing weather maps helps identify the locations of high and low pressure areas and the directions from which the winds are coming, which can provide insight into local weather patterns.

What is the effect of high pressure on air movement?

High pressure causes air to sink and spread out, leading to clearer skies and generally fair weather conditions.

Can the wind flow directly from high to low pressure?

In theory, air would flow directly from high to low pressure; however, the rotation of the Earth causes this flow to be deflected, resulting in curved wind patterns.

How can understanding wind patterns help individuals?

Understanding wind patterns can help individuals anticipate weather changes, make informed decisions related to outdoor activities, and better comprehend climate dynamics in their region.