Types of Winds: Periodic Winds, Variable Winds and Local Winds

The‌ ‌wind‌ ‌is‌ ‌caused‌ ‌due‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌pressure‌ ‌difference‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌atmosphere.‌ ‌To‌ ‌balance‌ ‌the‌ ‌pressure‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌air,‌ ‌wind‌ ‌flows‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌high-pressure‌ ‌area‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌low-pressure‌ ‌area.‌ ‌If‌ ‌the‌ ‌pressure‌ ‌difference‌ ‌is‌ ‌more,‌ ‌the‌ ‌wind‌ ‌blows‌ ‌faster.‌ ‌There‌ ‌are‌ ‌various‌ ‌‌types‌ ‌of‌ ‌winds-‌ ‌Periodic‌ ‌winds,‌ ‌Variable‌ ‌winds,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Local‌ ‌winds.‌ ‌

Wind is the movement of air caused by pressure differences in the atmosphere. Wind flows from the high to the low air pressure region to balance the pressure differences. Furthermore, the greater the pressure difference, the faster the wind will flow.

We know that the air pressure is unevenly distributed. The unequal distribution of pressure is attempted to be balanced with air. As a result, it goes from high to low pressure locations. Wind is defined as horizontal movement of air in reaction to pressure differences, whereas air current is defined as vertical or nearly vertical movement of air. The circulation system in the atmosphere is made up of both winds and air currents.

Types of winds

The primary winds

We just discovered that air pressure is unevenly distributed. The unequal distribution of pressure is attempted to be balanced with air. As a result, it goes from high to low pressure locations. In reaction, there is a horizontal flow of air.

Wind is defined as a variation in pressure when it is vertical or nearly vertical.

Moving air is referred to as air current. The system is made up of both winds and air currents the movement of air in the atmosphere.

The secondary winds

Secondary wind, also known as periodic wind, is a type of wind that occurs on

The direction of a secondary wind fluctuates depending on the season. Secondary winds are also known as seasonal winds and periodic winds. This occurrence occurs in a variety of locations throughout the world. A secondary wind is formed and the physical forces propelling it are determined by the specific geographical location. A monsoon wind is easily identified as one of the secondary winds.

The Tertiary Winds

Local Wind vs. Tertiary Wind

For a specific time of day or year, there is only one Tertiary wind in a narrow region. These winds are caused by differences in temperature and air pressure at various sites. Wind can be classified according to its local characteristics, such as hot, chilly, ice-filled, dust-filled, and so on. A Loo is a hot, dry wind that predominantly blows in India’s northern plains. Other local winds, in addition to Mistral and Foehn, include Bora, Foehn, and others.

Periodic winds 

The Easterlies

Trade or easterly winds are winds that blow from subtropical high pressure zones to equatorial low pressure areas. The term “trade” is derived from the German word “trade,” which meaning “trail.” To blow trade is to ‘blow steadily and continuously in the same direction.’

The Westerlies

Winds moving poleward from the northern hemisphere’s subtropical high pressure are identified to the right and consequently blow from the south west. These are deflected to the left and blow from the north-west in the southern hemisphere. As a result, these winds are known as westerlise.

 Polar Easterlies

Polar easterlies blow from the poles to sub-polar low pressure areas. In the northern hemisphere, they go from north-east to southwest, whereas in the southern hemisphere, they move from south-east to north-west.

Winds of the Monsoon

The term “monsoon” is derived from the Arabic word “Mausim,” which means “season.” Monsoon winds are winds that flip direction with the changing of seasons. Monsoon winds blow from sea to land in the summer and from land to sea in the winter.

 Winds in the area

We’ve been talking about the principal winds of the earth’s surface, which are important for comprehending the climatic zones. However, we are all aware that winds have an impact on local weather. Local winds often influence tiny regions and are restricted to the lower troposphere.

Breezes from the Land and the Sea

On the narrow areas around the beaches or a lake, land and sea breezes are frequent. It is a diurnal (daily) cycle in which low and high pressures are produced by the differential heating of land and water. During the day, as the landmass heats up faster than the adjacent sea or huge lake, air expands and rises.

Breezes from the Mountains and Valleys

Mountain and valley breezes are another mix of local winds that reverse direction on a regular basis. On a hot, sunny day, the mountain sides heat up faster than the valley level.

As a result, pressure is low on the hills but relatively high in the lowlands below.

Hot Winds

Loo, Foehn, and Chinook are prominent local hot winds.

• Loo are hot and dry winds that blow quite forcefully over India’s and Pakistan’s northern plains between May and June. They mainly occur in the afternoons and travel from west to east. Their temperature ranges from 45°C to 50°C.

Föhn

Foehn is a local wind that forms on the leeward side of the Alps mountain ranges. It is powerful, dusty, dry, and warm. The air is forced to climb and cross the barrier due to the regional pressure gradient. Ascending air can generate precipitation on the mountain’s windward side. After passing the mountain crest, the Foehn winds begin to fall on the leeward or northern side.

Chinook

The term “chinook” refers to a hot and dry local wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rockies in the United States and Canada. The literal definition of chinook is’snow eater,’ since they aid in the melting of snow. They maintain the grasslands snow-free. As a result, they are extremely beneficial to ranchers.

Cold winds

Cold Winds During the winter, the local cold winds originate in the snow-capped mountains and blow down the slopes towards the lowlands. They go by different names in different parts of the country.

Mistral

Mistrals are the most prevalent type of local chilly wind. They begin in the Alps and go across France to the Mediterranean Sea via the Rhone Valley.

They are very chilly, dry, and strong winds. They cause temperatures to fall below freezing in regions where they have an effect. People in these locations cultivate tall hedges to protect their orchards and gardens, and they build their homes towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Conclusion

Planetary winds blow in the same direction all year, whereas other types of winds change according to various factors.

Monsoon winds are seasonal, although local winds below are often diurnal. Air masses are enormous, horizontal bodies of air with homogeneous temperatures and moisture content. A front is the border line between two separate air masses. Temperate cyclones form in the mid-latitudes due to air masses and fronts. Tropical cyclones, which form in tropical waters and affect coastal regions, are another type of cyclone. They can become violent at times, resulting in significant loss of life and property.