Wind refers to the perceptible natural movement of air. Wind blows from “the high air pressure area to the low air pressure area. It is a natural effort to balance the disparities of air pressure. If the Earth was stable and its surface was flat, then the winds would blow straight from the high – pressure areas to the low – pressure areas, making right angles on the isobars. But in reality, this does not happen, because many factors affect the direction and speed of the wind.
Types of Winds: Winds have been divided into the following types, depending on their area of influence and duration:
1. Permanent Winds
2. Periodic Winds
3. Local Winds
Many types of winds are included under these three winds, which are shown through the following table:
This classification of winds is briefly described as follows:
1. Permanent Winds: Those winds, which blow in a fixed direction and a fixed order throughout the year, are called permanent winds. They are also known by popular names such prevailing winds, planetary winds, global winds, traditional winds. These winds are related to the belts of air pressure. The major ones are: Trade winds, Westerlies and Polar Winds.
2. Periodic Wind: The winds which change their direction according to the weather or time are called periodic winds.
These include the following types of winds:
- Monsoon winds
- Land Breeze and Sea Breeze
- Mountain Breeze and Valley Breeze
3. Local Winds: The winds that blow due to the difference in temperature and air pressure of a particular location are called local winds. These winds are in contrast to the prevailing winds blowing there. These winds can be of different types, like hot, cold, ice – filled, dust – rich, in accordance with local characteristics. These have beneficial or harmful effects in the affected areas. The main local winds include Chinook, Fohn, Bora, Sirocco, Harmattan, Khamsin, Mistral, Blizzard, Brick Fielder, Willy – Willy etc.
