What generally causes wind?

The primary cause of wind is pressure differences in the atmosphere. When air pressure varies from one place to another, air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, resulting in wind. This movement is influenced by factors such as temperature, which can create pressure differences; for instance, heating the air can lower its density, causing the air to rise and creating lower pressure at the surface.

While temperature differences and humidity levels can affect the local conditions and contribute to pressure differences, they do not directly cause wind. Temperature differences may lead to changes in pressure that ultimately drive wind, but the fundamental mechanism for the generation of wind is the movement of air due to differences in atmospheric pressure. Earth's rotation, meanwhile, influences the direction of winds through the Coriolis effect, but it is not a direct cause of wind itself. Thus, pressure differences serve as the main catalyst for wind generation in the atmosphere.