American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice

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What is the primary driver behind wind movement?

Temperature differences

Pressure differences

Wind movement is primarily driven by pressure differences in the atmosphere. When air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, this creates wind. The uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun causes variations in temperature, which in turn leads to differences in air pressure. As warm air rises, it creates a low-pressure area, while cooler air sinks, creating high pressure. This imbalance between high and low-pressure systems ultimately results in air movement, or wind.

While temperature differences do play a significant role in creating pressure variations, it is the pressure gradient—the difference in pressure over a distance—that is the immediate cause of wind movement. Other factors like humidity and the Earth's rotation can influence wind patterns and behaviors, but the fundamental driver of wind itself is the pressure gradient established within the atmosphere.

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Humidity levels

Earth's rotation

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