Winds correspond to the horizontal transport of air masses, including its enclosed energy (enthalpy) and humidity.

As solar heat is not evenly distributed over the surface of the Earth, air masses will flow according to patterns dictated by the planet’s geometry, its rotation around its tilted axis, and the interactions with land masses and oceans.

Example of wind patterns at 10 m altitude on July 5, 2014 at 03h00 GMT
Source: www.meteoblue.ch

Winds at 200 hPa, corresponding to an altitude of approx. 11'800 m (39’000 ft) on the same day as for the previous figure.
Source: www.meteoblue.ch

Short term weather forecasts are made on the basis of circulation models of air masses, humidity and clouds over land and seas.

At a given place, such patterns are repetitive (seasonal), and will contribute shaping the prevalent local or regional climate.

When significant long term variations of these patterns happen, this may indicate a change of climatic conditions for the concerned location. The answer is in the wind...