What is the initiating force for all winds?

The initiating force for all winds is the pressure gradient force. This force arises from differences in atmospheric pressure across regions. When there is a variation in pressure, air naturally moves from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure, resulting in wind.

The pressure gradient force is fundamentally responsible for initiating wind because it establishes the initial movement of air. As air moves in response to this force, other factors, such as the Coriolis effect and friction, come into play influencing the direction and behavior of the wind but not its initial movement. Temperature differences indeed play a role in generating pressure variations, but they do not directly initiate wind.

Therefore, it is the pressure gradient force that directly causes air to move, forming the foundational mechanism for wind generation in the atmosphere.