Question

How does wind move over short distances?

Answer 1

Wind is the horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

 

Winds are caused by differences in air pressure. 

 

These differences are caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface.

 

Winds are named by their direction (where they originate from) and speed.

 

Wind speed is measured by an anemometer.

 

v    Local Winds: winds that blow over short distances-caused by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface within a small area.  They form only when large-scale winds are weak.

 

Ø     Sea Breeze: a local wind that blows from an ocean or a lake.

§         Occurs because land heats up faster than water – The warm air expands creating an area of low pressure over the land, so the cooler more dense air moves toward the low-pressure land area.

 

Ø     Land Breeze: a local wind that blows from the land toward water

§        Occurs because land cools faster than water – The low pressure (less dense) air is now over the water.  The warm less dense air rises so the cooler air from the land moves toward that low pressure area by the water.