What pressure gradient force is associated with slower winds?

The pressure gradient force (PGF) is the force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, resulting in wind. The strength of the wind is directly related to the spacing of the isobars on a weather map. When the isobars, which indicate areas of equal atmospheric pressure, are widely spaced, it indicates a gentle or weaker pressure gradient. This weaker gradient results in slower winds because the difference in pressure over a certain distance is not substantial enough to generate strong winds.

In contrast, closely spaced isobars indicate a steep pressure gradient, leading to stronger winds. Similarly, narrow pressure gradients are also associated with higher wind speeds for the same reason—they imply a more rapid change in pressure over a shorter distance. Unstable pressure gradients do not directly correlate to wind strength in this context, as instability can refer to various atmospheric conditions impacting storms and turbulence rather than steady wind flow.

Thus, widely spaced PGF is the characteristic associated with slower winds, reflecting the gradual change in atmospheric pressure that leads to lighter air movement.