Winds
Local and Global Winds
General Information on Winds
Definition of Winds
Wind is the horizontal movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.What Causes Winds
Wind is caused by the different air pressures of the earth. When the air pressure is low or high, it makes the wind blow differently at different speeds. It can make the wind stronger or weaker. The differences in air pressure are caused by differences in how places are heated by the sun.
Local Winds
Local winds are created by the unequal heating of earth's surface within a small area. The unequal heating often happens near lakes and ocean coasts.
Sea Breezes
Sea breezes are winds that blow from an ocean or lake towards the land. The warm air rises from the land, while the cool air sinks towards the ocean/lake. Sea breezes occur during the daytime.
Land Breezes
Land breezes are winds that blow from the land towards an ocean or lake. The warm air rises above the water and the cool air sinks towards the land. Land breezes occur in the evening. Land breezes are pretty much the opposite of Sea breezes.
Global Winds
Global Winds are created by the unequal heating of earth's surface within a large area. There are different global winds occurring on the earth, because of the BIG convection currents. The equator has very warm air, because the sun strikes right down on it. The poles have very cold air. The cold air from the poles travels to the equator. Then, the air heats up, so it rises back to the poles.
Doldrums
Doldrums are global winds that occur at the equator. They are very calm, and aren't very strong. Near the doldrums, there isn't much bad weather, because there isn't lots of wind.