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When the Wind Blows

Tight packing of isobars illustrates a damaging 1987 windstorm in England. (UK Met Office)
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Wind originates from global atmospheric circulation driven by unequal solar heating (Hadley Cell, baroclinic systems) and localized "tertiary circulations" that are often unpredictable and challenging for aviation forecasts.
  • The primary forces influencing wind direction and speed are the pressure gradient (the driving force), the Coriolis effect (deflecting large-scale winds), and friction (which slows surface winds and alters their path).
  • Key aviation considerations include METAR observations (detailing wind direction, sustained speed, and gusts which indicate turbulence) and the concepts of backing/veering (changes in wind direction) and upper-level wind shear (a strong indicator of clear air turbulence).
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There’s no phenomena that shapes the flying experience quite like wind. It’s almost always present in some form. A crosswind makes for tricky landings, a gusty wind brings a bumpy flight, and a strong tailwind buys you an extra 15 minutes at your destination. It makes sense that this temperamental, fickle element should get an entire article of its own in hopes we can understand it a little better.

Where Wind Comes From

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