Register

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 large-scale atmospheric circulations, driven by unequal solar heating and complex mid-latitude baroclinic systems, with localized mesoscale circulations frequently contributing to forecast inaccuracies.
  • METAR observations provide crucial wind data, including direction, sustained speed, and gusts, where gusts specifically indicate unstable air, increased vertical motion, and potential low-level turbulence.
  • Changes in wind direction are described as backing (counterclockwise) or veering (clockwise), terms that signify important meteorological concepts like air mass advection and atmospheric stability trends.
  • Wind movement is fundamentally caused by pressure gradients, but its direction and speed are significantly modified by the Coriolis effect (due to Earth's rotation) and frictional forces, shaping large-scale atmospheric flows and upper-level phenomena like the jet stream.
See a mistake? Contact us.

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

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE