Wind and Air: Read Speeds and Gusts

Read a fictional wind record and preserve units, time and location.

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Average speed describes a measurement period. A gust is a brief increase, not the speed for the entire period. Compare observations with the same units and a known measurement setup. The displayed values are invented practice data.

Worked example

Period A has average speed 6 m/s and gust 11 m/s. This does not mean the wind stayed at 11 m/s. Period C has a larger average and gust than A.

Fictional observation periods A, B and C have average speeds 6, 4 and 8 meters per second, gust values 11, 9 and 13, and source directions west, north and southwest.

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 Which period has the largest average speed? C A B

Question 2 What is the listed gust in period B? 4 m/s 13 m/s 9 m/s

Question 3 What does gust 11 m/s in period A mean here? The air came from 11 directions A brief stronger wind during the period The speed was 11 m/s at every moment

Question 4 Why record the measurement location? Buildings and shelter can change local wind Location never affects wind Only the color of the tool matters

Question 5 What should you do during dangerous winds? Climb higher for a better reading Stand under a damaged tree Use indoor data and follow official warnings

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