Wind has been defined as air in horizontal motion. According to Byers, “the wind is simply air in motion, usually measured only in its horizontal component”. According to Trewartha, “Wind is simply air moving in a direction which is essentially parallel with the earth’s surface”.
In fact, wind is the horizontal movement of air that is caused by differences in pressure. There are two types of movement in the atmosphere: horizontal movement, and vertical movement. Vertically moving air columns are known as currents.
The air will move vertically if it is warmer, and consequently more buoyant than the surrounding air. Upward and downward air currents are referred to as surface updrafts and downdrafts, particularly when considering conditions in clouds having strong vertical velocities. Vertical motions occurring in the atmosphere are of great significance for the formation of clouds, precipitation, and various types of storms.
In meteorology the term ‘wind’ refers to the horizontal movement of air relative to the earth’s surface. Even though horizontal as well vertical movements of air are equally important, far more air is involved in the horizontal movement.
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Winds are the means by which uneven distribution of pressure over the globe is balanced out. Winds have been considered by meteorologists as an essential part of the thermodynamic mechanism of atmosphere which serves as a means of transporting heat, moisture and other properties from one part of the earth to another.