Thermal winds are winds that are generated by temperature differences in the atmosphere. When the sun heats the Earth's surface, certain areas become warmer than others, causing the air above them to rise. This rising warm air creates a low-pressure zone, while cooler areas maintain higher pressure, leading to air movement from high to low pressure. These winds can be local, such as sea breezes that occur near coastlines, or larger-scale phenomena like monsoons. Thermal winds play a crucial role in weather patterns and can influence climate by redistributing heat and moisture across different regions.