What happens to wind speed as the distance from the surface increases?

As you move away from the Earth's surface, wind speed typically increases due to several atmospheric dynamics. Near the ground, friction plays a significant role in slowing wind down. The Earth's surface features, such as trees, buildings, and terrain irregularities, create drag that reduces wind speed. As altitude increases, there is less surface friction affecting the wind, allowing it to move more freely and therefore faster.

In the lower atmosphere, particularly within the boundary layer, wind speed can be significantly affected by surface conditions. However, above this layer, wind flows more smoothly, and that reduction in interference from the surface leads to the observed increase in wind speed.

This phenomenon is especially pronounced in the upper levels of the atmosphere, where winds are influenced by the pressure gradient and the Coriolis effect, which can create stronger and more consistent winds. So, the correct response highlights the general trend of increasing wind speed with height due to the diminishing impact of surface friction.