Forecasting 101: Wind

Wind has so many different elements in forecasting it would take me weeks to explain it all to you. However, today I want to cover three basic questions about wind: What is wind? What causes the wind to blow? And how is wind measured?
 
Wind, is the natural movement of air throughout earth's atmosphere, and I mean in all different directions. It is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure, which is largely due to the unequal heating of the earth's surface. The air in the higher pressure gradient moves toward the lower pressure gradient. Hence the stronger the pressure gradient the strong the winds will be.
 
Now that you know what wind really is and what causes it, I also think that its important that you learn how it is measured and in what units wind can be measured in. When measuring wind speed near the surface you use a Anemometer, which is pictured above. Winds can also be measured by Pi-bal launching test and by radar. I have actually done many Pi-Bal launching test, look below and you will see me holding a Pi-Bal and some of my old classmates tracking the balloon as it ascends.
Meteorologist measure wind in knots or nautical miles per hour, however, wind can be measured in statue miles per hour and meter or feet per second.

Photo/ Info From:
stormchaser.ca
science.howstuffworks.com
daviddarling.info