wiatr

Wiatr, in meteorology, is the horizontal movement of air relative to the Earth's surface. It arises from pressure differences created by solar heating, differential surface characteristics, and the rotation of the Earth. Winds are described by speed, direction, and variability. Speed is measured with an anemometer and expressed in meters per second or kilometers per hour; direction indicates the compass point from which the wind originates (for example, a north wind comes from the north). Winds are often categorized using the Beaufort scale, linking observed effects on the environment to approximate speeds.

Near the surface, wind is influenced by terrain and friction, producing complex patterns and gusts; higher up in the atmosphere, wind speeds can be much greater and influence weather systems. Pressure gradients create the initial force; the Coriolis effect deflects the flow, shaping prevailing wind patterns and jet streams. Local phenomena include sea breezes, mountain-valley circulations, and katabatic or anabatic winds.

Wind has significant practical importance. It is a major source of renewable energy through wind turbines. It shapes weather and climate, affects aviation and maritime operations, and drives erosion and sediment transport. Meteorologists use wind measurements in weather forecasting, wind roses to summarize directional distributions, and models to understand atmospheric dynamics.