How does friction affect wind as it approaches the surface?

Friction plays a significant role in the behavior of wind as it interacts with the Earth's surface. As winds approach the ground, they encounter various surface roughness elements such as trees, buildings, and terrain variations. This interaction causes the wind to lose speed due to drag, effectively slowing it down.

As a result of this slowing effect, the wind can no longer flow parallel to the isobars, which represent lines of equal atmospheric pressure. Instead, the decreased speed alters the momentum of the wind and causes it to cross isobars at an angle, changing its direction towards lower pressure areas. This is a critical concept in meteorology, as the angle at which wind crosses the isobars plays a fundamental role in the development of weather systems and how they evolve.

While other options describe potential behaviors of wind, they do not accurately reflect the effects of friction near the surface. The principle that friction causes wind to slow down and change direction is essential for understanding local weather patterns and the formation of phenomena like cyclones and anticyclones.