Factually Blown Away
Sunday
The daily wind cycle occurs because our planet has land and water. Sunlight shines on both, but air above land heats faster than air above water, causing the air over land to warm and rise, with the cooler air rushing in to fill this low-pressure space left behind. This process is reversed at night when the air over land cools faster.
Monday
This phenomena of “diffusion,” or the natural tendency to equalize low and high pressure areas, also drives the winds that circle the earth and the larger air currents at various latitudes, since sunlight makes the air hotter near the equator.
Tuesday
Named for Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy, the Beaufort Scale measures wind intensity on a scale which generally goes from 0-12. 0 is windless, with smoke rising straight up, and at 12 you also have a category 1 hurricane or tornado. The scale actually goes up to 17, but these highest five numbers are reserved for tropical typhoons.
Wednesday
The highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth was 253 mph at Barrow Island, Australia in 1996.
Thursday
Wind alone kills about 48 people per year in the US.
Friday
The term “second wind” first came from breath, specifically, when it becomes easier to breathe again after a first round of physical exertion.
Saturday
While electricity generation from all renewable energy sources has already surpassed coal in the US, windpower alone is on track to pass coal-fired generation in the next few years.