Wind is caused by air flowing from high pressure to low pressure. Since the Earth is rotating, however, the air does not flow directly from high to low pressure, but it is deflected to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere; to the left in the Southern Hemisphere), so that the wind flows mostly around the high and low pressure areas.
This effect of the wind "feeling the Earth turn underneath it" is important for very large and long-lived pressure systems. For small, short-lived systems (such as in the cold outflow of a thunderstorm) the wind will flow directly from high pressure to low pressure.
The closer the high and low pressure areas are together, the stronger the "pressure gradient", and the stronger the winds. On weather maps, lines of constant pressure are drawn (as in the example, above) which are called "isobars". These isobars are usually labeled with their pressure value in millibars (mb). The closer these lines are together, the stronger the wind.
Clouds do not form winds.
The curvature of the isobars is also important to the wind speed. Given the same pressure gradient (isobar spacing), if the isobars are curved anticyclonically (around the high pressure in the above example) the wind will be stronger. If the isobars are curved cyclonically (around the low pressure in the example above) the wind will be weaker.
Near the surface of the Earth, friction from the ground slows the wind down. During the day, when convective mixing is stirring up the lower atmosphere, this effect is minimized. At night, however, when convective mixing has stopped, the surface wind can slow considerably, or even stop altogether.
Wind can be thought of one way that the atmosphere moves excess heat around. Directly or indirectly, wind forms for the promary purpose of helping to transport excess heat either away from the surface of the Earth, where sunlight causes an excess of energy buildup, or from warm regions (usually the tropics) to cooler regions (usually the higher latitudes).
Extratropical cyclones accomplish much of this heat transport outside of the tropics, while in the tropics the trade winds, monsoons, and hurricanes transport much of the heat.
Tornadoes are a product of severe thunderstorms, which take the form of cumulonimbus clouds.
During stormy days, you are likely to see dark, low-lying clouds such as nimbostratus and cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are associated with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Cumulonimbus clouds are likely to form at the edge of this front, as they are associated with strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. These clouds can bring severe weather conditions such as lightning, hail, and strong winds.
The lowest floating type of cloud is known as stratus clouds. They typically form close to the ground and appear as a blanket of gray or white clouds covering the sky. Stratus clouds are often associated with overcast or foggy weather.
Yes, winds can move rain clouds from one location to another. Atmospheric winds transport clouds by carrying them along with the air currents. This process can lead to precipitation in areas far from where the clouds originally formed. However, the extent and impact of this movement depend on various meteorological factors.
cumulonimbus clouds do because they can form up to 100 mi/hour winds inside. (they're also the most dangerous clouds)
the unequal heating of the earth's surface causes wind (warm air rising and cold air sinking), and evaporation creates clouds.
Cirrus clouds are high-altitude clouds that form when strong winds blow the clouds into long, wispy streaks. These clouds are often feathery in appearance and indicate that turbulent weather may be approaching due to the high wind speeds at that altitude.
yes
cumulonimbus clouds
Cumulonimbus clouds
Tornadoes are a product of severe thunderstorms, which take the form of cumulonimbus clouds.
Cirrus clouds. This type is often called mare's tails. Made of ice crystals blown by winds at high altitude.Feathery clouds are called Cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals instead of water droplets and form at altitudes between five and fourteen kilometers.
cumulonimbus
If an unstable air mass is forced upwards, you can expect cumulonimbus clouds to form. These clouds are associated with thunderstorms and can bring heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds. The instability in the air mass allows for rapid vertical development of these clouds.
Nimbus clouds are the type of clouds that are typically associated with rain. These clouds are characterized by their dark, thick appearance and are responsible for producing precipitation in the form of rain.
Cumulonimbus clouds are most commonly associated with thunderstorms. The towering clouds come along with atmospheric instability. They form when water vapor is carried upward by powerful air currents.