Wind Speed The air in the atmosphere is always moving. When it moves vertically this causes cloud and rain. When it moves horizontally this is known as wind ie:-
Vertical Movement of Air............................. Horizontal Movement of Air
Winds blow from areas of high air pressure to areas of low air pressure.
We measure wind speed in kms. per hour or miles per hour with an anemometer i.e. :-
The wind catches the three cups and as they spin round the wind speed is shown on a dial.
We can easily estimate the wind speed by looking at the effect that the wind has on objects around us. This is given as a number between 0 and 12 on the Beaufort Scale.
Wind Speed Questions
W.S. 1. Fill in your weather Summary Sheet for wind speed.
W.S. 2. At what wind speed would we describe the wind as :-
a. a light breeze ?
b. a moderate gale ?
c. a hurricane ?W.S. 3. At what wind speed would we find the following effects :-
a. paper starting to blow in the wind ?
b. umbrellas becoming difficult to hold ?
c. widespread damage to buildings, communications and woodlands ?W.S. 4. Convert the following wind speeds from kms / hour to miles / hour :-
a. 40 kms / hour
b. 70 kms / hourW.S. 5. Convert the following wind speeds from miles / hour to kms / hour :-
a. 50 miles / hour
b. 19 miles / hour
