What is the primary difference between advection and convection?

Advection refers to the horizontal movement of air or any other quantity (such as moisture or temperature) across the Earth's surface, while convection involves the vertical movement of air resulting from differences in temperature and density. In the atmosphere, when warmer, less dense air rises, it creates a convective current as cooler, denser air moves in to replace it. This process is crucial in the formation of weather systems and cloud development.

The distinction between these two processes is fundamental in meteorology. Advection can transport heat and moisture across large distances horizontally, influencing weather patterns and climate conditions, while convection typically occurs within a localized area and is driven by thermal energy differences. Understanding this difference is key in analyzing weather phenomena and their impacts.