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What causes winds?
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The measure of the force with which air
molecules push on a surface
Strongest in the Troposphere because of
gravity
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Wind is the movement of air.
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Winds are caused by differences in air
pressure.

Winds move from areas of high (cold air)
pressure to areas of low (warm air) pressure
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Differences in air pressure is caused by
differences in the temperature of the aircaused by unequal heating of the Earth
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Because it is titled on its axis. More of the
sun’s direct rays hit the equator making the
temperature at the equator warmer and the
air less dense creating area of low pressure
(L)
The tilt of the Earth on its axis causes
seasons on the Earth
Differences in air pressure are caused
by unequal heating of the Earth.
 Cool air has higher air pressure so it
flows underneath (sinks) the warm, less
dense air.
 A.
B.
C.
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Because the Earth is tilted on its axis, the
equator receives more direct solar energy
from the sun.
Air at the equator is warmer than any
where else on Earth . This less dense warm
air rises creating areas of Low Pressure (L)

At the poles, the air is colder and denser than
surrounding air, so it sinks. Creating areas of
high pressure (H)

Warm air causes areas of low pressure (L)
because the air is less dense than the
surrounding air and it rises

Sinking cold air causes high pressure
(H) because sinking air presses down
on the air beneath it.
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The apparent curving of path of winds and
ocean currents due to the Earth’s Rotation
Winds in the Northern Hemisphere curve
east.
Winds in the Southern Hemisphere curve
west

The combinations of convection cells and the
Coriolis Effect produce patterns of air
circulation called global winds

Winds that blow over short distances
and are caused by unequal heating of
Earth’s surface within a small area.

Sea Breeze – a wind that blows from
an ocean or lake onto land.

Land Breeze – the flow of air from land to a
body of water
A wind vane
measures wind
direction.
 The name tells
where the wind
is coming from.
 i.e. – north
wind blows
from the north
to the south.

 An
anemometer
measures wind
speed.

The wind-chill factor is the increased
cooling that a wind can bring.