What generally happens to wind speeds as altitude increases?

As altitude increases, wind speeds generally increase due to several factors related to atmospheric behavior. At higher altitudes, the influence of surface friction diminishes, leading to more streamlined and faster winds. Near the Earth's surface, various obstacles such as buildings, trees, and terrain can disrupt airflow, causing slower wind speeds due to drag.

However, as one ascends through the atmosphere, especially above the boundary layer, these surface effects become less significant, allowing for the free movement of air. This is particularly evident in layers such as the jet stream, where focused bands of fast-moving air occur at higher altitudes, often exceeding significant speed thresholds.

The behavior of wind at higher altitudes is influenced by temperature gradients, pressure differences, and the Coriolis effect, all of which contribute to increased wind velocities. Thus, as you ascend through the atmosphere, the general trend is for wind speeds to increase.