Why Does the Wind Blow? — Reading Comprehension

Wind is moving air, and it plays a big role in shaping our weather and climate. But what makes the wind blow? The answer has to do with the sun, air pressure, and the way Earth heats up.

When sunlight shines on Earth, it doesn’t warm all areas equally. Land, water, and air heat up at different rates. This causes some places to become warmer than others. Warm air is lighter than cold air, so it rises. As it rises, it creates a space below with lower air pressure.

Cooler air from nearby areas, which is heavier, moves in to fill that space. This movement of air from high pressure to low pressure is what we feel as wind. The bigger the difference in air pressure, the stronger the wind.

Wind direction and speed can also be affected by the rotation of the Earth, a force known as the Coriolis effect. This causes winds to curve instead of moving in a straight line. Mountains, oceans, and forests can also change how wind moves across the land.

Wind helps move clouds, spread seeds and pollen, and even power wind turbines that create electricity. It is an important part of Earth’s atmosphere system and helps keep temperatures balanced around the globe.

Fun Fact: The fastest wind speed ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour during a tornado in Oklahoma in 1999!

What is wind?

What causes warm air to rise?

What creates a low-pressure area?

What moves in to fill the low-pressure space?

What is the Coriolis effect?

Which surface heats up faster—land or water?

What is the main idea of the passage?

What role does wind play in nature?