<P> Wind is caused by differences in the atmospheric pressure . When a difference in atmospheric pressure exists , air moves from the higher to the lower pressure area , resulting in winds of various speeds . On a rotating planet , air will also be deflected by the Coriolis effect , except exactly on the equator . Globally , the two major driving factors of large - scale wind patterns ( the atmospheric circulation ) are the differential heating between the equator and the poles ( difference in absorption of solar energy leading to buoyancy forces ) and the rotation of the planet . Outside the tropics and aloft from frictional effects of the surface , the large - scale winds tend to approach geostrophic balance . Near the Earth 's surface , friction causes the wind to be slower than it would be otherwise . Surface friction also causes winds to blow more inward into low - pressure areas . </P>
what is the main source of energy for wind currents on earth
differences in the atmospheric pressure