What causes wind?

The phenomenon of wind is primarily caused by differences in air pressure. When the sun heats the Earth's surface, it warms the air above it. This warming causes the air to expand and become less dense, leading to lower air pressure in that area. Meanwhile, cooler areas with denser, heavier air create regions of higher pressure. The pressure gradient—the difference in air pressure between these areas—drives the movement of air from high-pressure regions to low-pressure regions. This movement of air is what we experience as wind.

While changes in temperature do influence air pressure and, subsequently, wind, they are not the direct cause of wind itself. Instead, it is the resulting differences in air pressure from those temperature changes that create wind. Humidity levels affect weather conditions and can influence wind patterns but do not directly cause wind. Similarly, Earth's rotation does impact wind direction through the Coriolis effect but is not the primary factor that causes wind to flow from one area to another; air pressure differences are fundamental to the formation of wind.