Winds. Coriolis effect

What do you know about winds, why they are produced and their most important types?

The online wind simulations on this page will explain how winds are generated and you will learn about some of the most common types of winds.

Winds are movements of air in the earth’s atmosphere that are generated due to differences in atmospheric pressure. These movements can be gentle and refreshing, or they can become powerful storms capable of causing great damage. In addition to pressure differences, winds are the result of the interaction between several factors, such as the Earth’s rotation, solar radiation and topography. Winds can be local or global, and their direction and speed can vary widely in different regions and at different times. The instruments used to measure wind are called anemometers.

Winds play a crucial role in climate. They help distribute heat more evenly around the planet, which helps regulate temperatures. They also help move moisture in the form of clouds and participate in the water cycle.

Winds have different names depending on their speed. A breeze is a light, gentle wind, while a gale is a strong, violent wind. Hurricanes, tornadoes and cyclones are extremely powerful storms that form due to specific wind conditions.

In some regions, such as deserts, winds can carry sand and dust, creating sandstorms. These storms can be dangerous and make visibility difficult. In addition, winds can affect maritime navigation and aviation, as they can influence the speed and direction of ships and aircraft.

Below are several simulations and other educational resources, which can also serve as very illustrative examples. In addition, a selection of books and courses is included to help you broaden your knowledge of this subject.

Coriolis
Breeze
Pressure

Coriolis Effect

The French scientist Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis was the first to explain that fluids moving on the Earth's surface do not move in a straight line, but undergo a curvature due to the Earth's rotation. Check with the simulation how this curvature is depending on the hemisphere in which we are.

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Sea breeze

In a coastal area the wind changes direction between day and night due to temperature differences between the sea and the coast. Move the burner left or right to heat one area or the other and see what happens with the wind.

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Atmospheric pressure and winds

Winds are produced by pressure differences in different areas of the atmosphere. An anticyclone has more pressure in the center than at the periphery and the winds go from the center outward. In a squall, the pressure in the center is lower than in the periphery and the winds go from the outside to the center. Due to the rotation of the Earth and the effects of the Coriolis force, the winds rotate in both cases. Do they rotate equally in the northern and southern hemispheres?