Where do surface winds typically occur?

Surface winds typically occur below 2000 feet above ground level (AGL) due to the influence of friction with the Earth's surface. As winds pass over the ground, they encounter various obstructions such as buildings, trees, and terrain, which create drag and slow down the wind. This friction effect is significant at lower altitudes, leading to a more turbulent wind profile.

In the atmospheric structure, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, usually stretches from the ground to about 2000 feet. Within this layer, surface winds exhibit complex behaviors influenced by temperature gradients, surface roughness, and local geographic features. Wind speeds can vary greatly in this range, depending on these factors, which is why understanding surface wind characteristics is essential for meteorology and aviation.

Higher altitudes, such as above 5000 feet AGL, typically experience more consistent and stronger winds as friction is less of a factor at those heights. Winds in this region are often influenced by larger weather systems rather than local surface conditions. Therefore, the most accurate understanding of where surface winds primarily occur is below 2000 feet AGL.