MOLINE, Ill. — Wind is something we all experience on a day-to-day basis and it, like many other weather phenomena, can come with varying strengths. Have you ever stopped and wondered where the wind actually comes from? Marsha from Coal Valley, Illinois, asked this very question: "Where does wind come from?" Let's dig in!
Not just pressure
Many of us associate wind with changes in pressure. You would be somewhat correct, however, remember what creates pressure to begin with: temperature changes! NOAA says the difference in temperature over a region is the primary driver of wind. As temperatures warm or cool, whether here near the ground or in the atmosphere, the chemistry of that air is also changing.
Colder temperatures promote air molecules to buddy up or move close to each other. They also move very slowly. Colder air is also more dense, so it sinks. Meanwhile, warmer air molecules are more spread apart. Warmer air is also less dense since we are introducing water vapor. Recall back to chemistry, water vapor is lighter than dry air.
As the warmer air rises, something needs to come in and replace the empty space. That being the colder air! When the temperature difference in one region is fairly large, say, ahead of a cold front, the pressure difference can be quite large, too, increasing the overall wind speed. The only place where this wouldn't apply would be in a severe thunderstorm. That is a different set of dynamics and processes.
These seasons drive wind in the Quad Cities
Take notice of how our wind speed will change in the coming months as we enter the summer season. That is the time of year that typically has the most uniform distribution of temperatures across the United States. We don't typically see wild temperature swings from day to day. That lack of change keeps wind speed rather tame.
Editor's note: Wind graphic is from from February.
Look to other months though, like fall, winter, and spring, you'll find a lot of wind during that time period. The most wind occurs in the Quad Cities from January to April followed by another spike in the fall. Both of those periods include days where the temperatures can vary, sometimes wildly!
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