What is a gradient wind?

A gradient wind is characterized by the flow of air that circulates around curved isobars. This type of wind occurs due to the balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis effect, which results in a wind that does not flow directly from areas of high pressure to low pressure but rather follows the curvature of the isobars.

This understanding is essential in meteorology, as it helps explain how winds behave in the atmosphere under different pressure systems. The gradient wind is typically observed in large-scale wind patterns, such as those found in cyclones and anticyclones, where the isobars are not straight and require the wind to follow their curved path.

In contrast, other options present ideas that do not accurately capture the nature of gradient winds. For example, wind that moves in a straight line from high to low pressure refers to the geostrophic wind rather than gradient wind behavior. Wind flowing parallel to straight isobars fits the definition of geostrophic wind in a straight-line flow scenario, not curved isobars. Finally, attributing wind movement solely to temperature changes overlooks the significant role that pressure differences and the Coriolis effect play in determining wind patterns.