surface wind The wind close to the Earth's surface, the velocity of which is usually measured at a standard height of 10 m. Surface-wind velocity is reduced by the frictional effect of the underlying surface. The actual wind is a balance of pressure-gradient force, Coriolis effect, and frictional effects.

surface wind The wind close to the Earth's surface, the velocity of which is usually measured at a standard height of 10 m. Surface-wind velocity is reduced by the frictional effect of the underlying surface. The actual wind is a balance of pressure-gradient force, Coriolis force, and frictional effects.