Local winds blow over a much smaller area than global winds and have a much shorter time span. Hot winds originate in vast anticyclones over hot deserts and include the Santa Ana (California), the Brickfielder (south-east Australia), the Sirocco (Mediterranean), the Haboob (Sudan), the Khamsin (Egypt), and the Harmattan (West Africa).

Cold winds originate over mountains or other snow-covered areas and include the Mistral, funnelled down the Rhone Valley, and the Bora. Some local winds, such as the Southerly Burster of Australia, are associated with cold fronts. Other local winds include land breezes and sea breezes.