Weather changes and specific constituents impacting it have always interested researchers, meteorological observers, and people living in places that are at risk for the occurrence of natural disasters. The ability to predict atmospheric conditions is essential in environmental science, agriculture, navigation, aviation, and daily life. The interrelation of air pressure and the wind is the key to understanding fluctuating weather, and one should grasp these concepts to gain competence in the subject.
Air pressure and wind directly influence atmospheric conditions, and their characteristics depend on several factors. Firstly, according to the ideal gas law, pressure succumbs to the alterations in temperature, elevation, and latitude (“Air Pressure and Wind”). It significantly decreases in high altitudes; thus, the air becomes colder. As all areas on the planet are not equally subject to the Sun, regions with low and high-pressure systems arise. Secondly, wind moves toward the low pressure, which causes directional divergence and together with condensed vapor may lead to precipitation and a drop in temperature (“The Highs and Lows of Air Pressure”). Conversely, high-pressure areas are associated with calm and cloudless weather, but they often suffer from heat and drought. The impact of the Earth rotation is more applicable to winds rather than air pressure. Due to the Coriolis effect, winds in the Northern Hemisphere alter the course to the right, and those in the Southern deviate to the left (“Air Pressure and Wind”). Nonetheless, they will be inclined to blow straight according to Newton’s first law of motion. Air pressure and wind are inextricably connected with weather formation.
The two basic components that create favorable or contrary weather should be of top priority when forecasting. Areas with high or low air pressure are prone to clear and turbulent circumstances respectively. Winds contribute to clouds and rains; they can slightly change their direction because of the Earth’s rotation. The existing knowledge must be supplemented with further research to improve weather prediction and prevent disasters.
Works Cited
“Air Pressure and Wind.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Web.
“The Highs and Lows of Air Pressure.” The UCAR Center for Science Education, Web.