What causes wind?

Wind is primarily caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface. The sun shines more directly on some areas, while others receive less sunlight depending on the angle and duration of the sunlight exposure. This creates temperature variations across different regions of the Earth. Warm air is less dense and rises, while cooler air is denser and sinks. As warm air rises, it creates an area of lower pressure, and the cooler, denser air moves in to fill that space, resulting in wind.

While the rotation of the Earth does have an impact on wind patterns through the Coriolis effect, it is the uneven heating that initiates wind movement. Factors such as water temperature and ocean currents can influence local weather conditions and airflow patterns but are secondary to the fundamental reason wind occurs. Thus, the uneven heating of the Earth's surface is the primary driver behind wind generation.