Classification of Winds
The wind is the movement of air caused by differences in pressure in the atmosphere. In order to balance the differences in air pressure, wind flows from the high to the low air pressure region. In addition, the greater the pressure difference, the faster the wind flows.
Generally, there are three types of winds on earth:
Primary Wind
Secondary Wind
Tertiary Wind
Periodicity and location of occurrence are factors considered in this classification.
Primary Wind or Planetary Wind
Throughout the year, certain winds continuously blow in a particular direction. Prevailing winds and planetary winds are also referred to as primary winds. A trade wind, westerly wind, and easterly wind are three types of primary winds.
Secondary Wind or Periodic Wind
A secondary wind changes direction according to the season. Other names for secondary winds include seasonal winds and periodic winds. This phenomenon occurs in many different places around the world. Based on the particular geographical location, a secondary wind is generated and the physical forces driving it. A monsoon wind is recognizable as one of the secondary winds.
Tertiary Wind or Local Wind
There is only one Tertiary wind in a small area for a particular part of the day or year. Different temperatures and air pressure at different locations lead to these winds. There are different types of wind based on local characteristics, such as hot, cold, ice-filled, dust-filled, etc. A Loo is a hot and dry wind found primarily in the northern plains of India. In addition to Mistral and Foehn, other local winds include Bora, Foehn, and others.
The Different Types of Wind
Trade Winds
Tropical easterlies are also called trade winds and are found in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres thanks to the Coriolis effect and Ferrel's law. Subtropical high-pressure areas start blowing towards the equatorial low-pressure belt. The trade winds blow northeast in the Northern Hemisphere, and southeastern in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Westerlies
These winds are also referred to as the Roaring Forties, the Roaring Fifties, and the Shrieking Sixties. Unlike the subtropical high-pressure belt, the subpolar low-pressure belt blows from the subtropical high-pressure belt. Westerlies occur more frequently and consistently in the Southern hemisphere than in the Northern hemisphere.
Polar Easterlies
The Polar easterlies are cold, dry winds with a directional movement in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They blow south-east to the north-west on a constant basis in both hemispheres. Subpolar low-pressure zones produce easterly winds.
Monsoon Winds
During low-latitude climates, monsoons are wind patterns that frequently change directions between summer and winter. A monsoon normally occurs in winter when moisture flows from the land to the sea and in summer when water flows from the sea to the land, resulting in a drastic change in the climate and precipitation patterns in the monsoon-affected areas. In the Indian subcontinent, the monsoon is caused by variations in temperature caused by the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Himalayan wall.
Land Breeze and Sea Breeze
An area of land breeze can be described as a region in which winds blow from land to sea without carrying any moisture. Rather, the sea breeze brings moisture to the land when it blows from the sea to the land. Warm, dry land breezes accompany the sea breezes.
Mountain and Valley Breeze
The air fills the gap created by the warming of the slopes during the daytime in mountainous regions. Such a wind is referred to as the valley breeze. A mountain breeze descends from the slopes into the valley during the night as the slopes cool.
Local Winds
Depending on the local pressure and temperature differences, local winds occur. However, these winds tend to occur in the lowest levels of the troposphere. Loo, Bora, Chinook, and Zonda are examples of local winds that are discussed.
FAQs on Types of Wind
1. How does uneven heating occur between land and sea?
When compared to land, seawater heats up more slowly. Through conduction, the air above the land gets heated as the temperature of the land rises. Warm air has a lower density than its surroundings. Because it rises, a vacuum is created. Coastal breezes are created when cooler air rushes to fill the vacuum created by the sea. A temperature difference between onshore and offshore is created by the land cooling off more quickly at night. A pressure drop is created as a result of this temperature difference, establishing the land breeze.
2. What is uneven heating between the equator and the pole?
As a consequence, the equatorial and tropical areas (close to the equator) receive the largest amount of heat from the sun. As a result, the air around this region becomes warm and rises, creating a vacuum. In an attempt to fill the vacuum, cooler air rushes in from the poles. A change in direction in the wind is caused by the rotation of the earth, which does not allow the wind to flow north-south.
3. How do we measure wind?
Two different instruments are used to measure speed and direction of wind: the wind vane and the wind vane.
Anemometers
Wind speed is measured by an anemometer, which is a common instrument at weather stations. The different types of anemometer include cup anemometers, hot wire anemometers, windmill anemometers, sonic anemometers, and laser doppler anemometers.
Wind vanes
Weather vanes are devices that indicate the direction of the wind, also known as wind vanes.
4. How Do You Define Westerlies?
Westerly winds are those that blow from subtropical regions of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the polar region. As well as the Furious Fifties, Shrieking Sixties, and Roaring Forties, these decades are commonly known by other names. On earth, there are several types of wind: planetary winds, trade winds, periodic winds, local winds, and westerlies.