Wind and Air: Name the Wind

Distinguish the source direction of wind from the direction it travels.

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Wind is moving air. Weather reports name wind for where it comes from. A west wind blows toward east. A vane indicates source direction; an anemometer measures speed. A windsock extends downwind.

Worked example

If an arrow shows air moving from north toward south, call it a north wind. The name tells you from, not toward.

An arrow shows air traveling from west toward east. Weather reports call this a west wind because its source direction is west.

Would you believe it?

A west wind travels toward the east! Weather observations name wind for the direction it comes from, not its destination.

NOAA: measuring wind direction

Question 1 Air moves from west toward east. What is its name? West wind East wind South wind

Question 2 A north wind travels toward which direction? North Always west South

Question 3 Which tool measures wind speed? Rain gauge Anemometer Wind vane alone

Question 4 Which tool indicates where wind comes from? Wind vane Thermometer Measuring cup

Question 5 A windsock stretches east. Where is the air coming from? East Straight up only West

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