Where Does Wind Come From

(WAND) - I once posed the question, "where does wind come from?" to a second grade class studying weather.   The consensus answer:  the sky. They weren't completely off-base.  

Wind is generated by the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. This movement is primarily caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun.  The uneven heating is caused by several factors, including angle of the sun, the nature of the surface (land or water) and geographical features.  

When the surface heats up, the air above it also warms. Warm air is less dense and rises, creating lower pressure. Conversely, cooler air sinks due to greater density and higher pressure. 

The difference in air pressure between the high-pressure and low-pressure areas creates a pressure gradient. Air moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas in an attempt to equalize the pressure.  In short, the greater the difference in pressure, the greater the wind.   

Enter Thursday; another windy day across central Illinois. Hope you enjoyed today's tranquility.  

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