Consider the diagram given below : The above diagram represents the pressure conditions of three different places, viz., A, B and C. Which of the following is the correct direction of movement of winds ?

Wind is the horizontal movement of air caused by differences in atmospheric pressure [2]. The fundamental driving force behind wind is the pressure gradient force, which always acts from areas of relatively high pressure toward areas of relatively low pressure [1]. According to the principles of atmospheric dynamics, air parcels naturally move to equalize pressure imbalances by flowing away from high-pressure centers and toward low-pressure centers. In the provided diagram, place B represents a high-pressure center (1020 mb), while places A and C represent lower pressure conditions (1016 mb and 1012 mb respectively). Consequently, the pressure gradient force initiates air movement from the higher pressure at B toward the lower pressure zones at A and C [3]. Therefore, the correct direction of wind movement is from B towards both A and C.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Pressure Gradient Force > p. 306
2. [2] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Forces Affecting the Velocity and Direction of Wind > p. 78
3. [3] https://www.weather.gov/media/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/winds/pressure_winds/pressure_winds2.pdf