American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Wind movement is primarily driven by differences in air pressure. When there's a variation in air pressure between two areas, air naturally moves from regions of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure, creating wind. This fundamental principle is rooted in the behavior of air as a fluid; it seeks to equalize pressure discrepancies.

In meteorology, this concept is crucial because it explains not only the direction of the wind but also its speed. The steeper the pressure gradient between two areas (the difference in pressure over a certain distance), the stronger the resulting winds will be. This is why high wind speeds often occur in regions with significant pressure differences, like near fronts or storm systems.

Understanding that air pressure is a primary driver of wind movement helps clarify various weather patterns and the dynamics of the atmosphere, leading to better predictions of wind behaviors and related phenomena.