wind

wind, flow of air relative to the earth's surface. A wind is named according to the point of the compass from which it blows, e.g., a wind blowing from the north is a north wind.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Wind Direction and Velocity
• Prevailing Winds and General Circulation Patterns
• Localized Influences on Wind Patterns
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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