Explain how winds are caused?

Winds or wind currents are generated by two factors:

1. Uneven heating between Poles and Equator

• Centre of the earth is called Equator and the two extreme positions are Poles.
• Poles are cooler than equator as highest intensity of the sun’s heat and light falls on the equator and it reduces as we go either side of equator towards the poles.
• Cooler air from surrounding areas of the equator comes towards the equator to fill the place of warm air which rises up due to sun’s heating.
• Similarly, cooler air from poles comes towards the surrounding areas as the surrounding areas have air warmer than the poles.
• These winds from north to equator and south to equator are not straight as their direction change due to earth’s rotation on its axis.

1. Uneven heating between Land and Water

• This occurs in the coastal areas.
• Sea Breeze: This causes the wind to move from Sea towards Land and the process continues during the day. These are also called Monsoon winds.
• Land Breeze:This causes the wind to move from Land towards Sea and the process continues during the night.