What relationship exists between wind speed and air pressure gradient?

Wind speed increases as the distance between isobars decreases (or pressure gradient increases).

How does the pressure gradient force PGF impact the wind?

An air parcel initially at rest will move from high pressure to low pressure because of the pressure gradient force (PGF). As the wind gains speed, the deflection increases until the Coriolis force equals the pressure gradient force. At this point, the wind will be blowing parallel to the isobars.

How does wind speed change with pressure?

The greater the difference between the high and low pressure or the shorter the distance between the high and low pressure areas, the faster the wind will blow. So in the northern hemisphere, winds blow clockwise around an area of high pressure and counter-clockwise around low pressure.

What forces affect the speed of wind?

Frictional Force and Wind Movement The irregularities of the earth’s surface offer resistance to the wind movement in the form of friction. It affects the speed of the wind. It is greatest at the surface and its influence generally extends up to an elevation of 1 – 3 km. Over the sea surface the friction is minimal.

How do high and low pressure gradients determine wind speed?

To show wind speeds, the pressure gradient is plotted onto weather maps using isobars mapped between areas of high and low pressure. The Coriolis force makes wind deflect from its straight path between high and low-pressure areas and the friction force slows wind down as it travels over the Earth’s surface.

What does a pressure gradient force do?

The change in pressure measured across a given distance is called a “pressure gradient”. The pressure gradient results in a net force that is directed from high to low pressure and this force is called the “pressure gradient force”. The pressure gradient force is responsible for triggering the initial movement of air.

How does atmospheric pressure affect wind direction?

A high pressure system has higher pressure at its center than the areas around it. Winds blow away from high pressure. Swirling in the opposite direction from a low pressure system, the winds of a high pressure system rotate clockwise north of the equator and counterclockwise south of the equator.

How does elevation affect wind speed?

Going up in altitude, the pressure gradient between the warm air and the cold air increases with height. slow the air as it collides into them. The influence of this friction is less with height above the ground, thus the wind speed increases with height.

What increases wind speed?

Wind speed increases with increasing height above the ground, starting from zero due to the no-slip condition. Flow near the surface encounters obstacles that reduce the wind speed, and introduce random vertical and horizontal velocity components at right angles to the main direction of flow.