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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 is primarily caused by the unequal heating of the Earth, generating large-scale atmospheric circulations like the Hadley Cell and baroclinic systems, alongside localized tertiary circulations that often lead to unpredictable mesoscale weather phenomena.
  • The fundamental forces governing wind are the pressure gradient, the Coriolis effect (due to Earth's rotation), and friction from terrain, which collectively determine its speed, direction, and overall atmospheric balance.
  • METAR observations provide essential wind data, including sustained speed and gusts (indicators of unstable air and turbulence), while directional changes described as backing (counterclockwise) or veering (clockwise) signify air advection and potential atmospheric destabilization.
  • Upper-level winds, such as the jet stream, are linked to temperature gradients, with upper-level wind shear being a primary predictor of clear air turbulence (CAT) for aviation.
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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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