Air in motion

Very influential factor in

several hydrometeorological
process.
Moisture and heat are
readily transferred to and
from air.
Adopt the thermal and
moisture conditions of the
surfaces with which it is
contact.
has both speed and
direction
M
E
A
S
U
R
E
M
E
N
T
Direction from
which it is blowing.

Surface winds has

16 compass points
(N,NNE,NE,ENE,etc)
Winds aloft
(degrees,clockwise)
Measures by miles per
hour, m/s, or knots.
1m/s=2.2mph
1 knot=1 1/7 mph
(approximately)
ANEMOMETER
 Three or four cup
anemometer
• Vertical axis of rotation is
most commonly used for
official observations.
 PRESSURE TUBE
ANEMOMETERS
 Operate on the pitot tube principle.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION
OF WIND
 Because of its location of in the general
location in the general circulation, the
United States has prevailing westerly winds.
 The upper –air winds tend to increase with
latitude but this tendency is not noticeable
near the surface .
 In winter there is tendency for surface winds
to blow from the colder interior of land
masses toward the warmer oceans.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION
OF WIND
 On mountain ridges and summits wind
speeds(30 ft or more above the ground) are
higher than in the free air at corresponding
elevations because of the convergenceof the
air forced by the orographic barriers.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION
OF WIND
 Wind speeds are reduced and directions
deflected in the lower layers of the
atmosphere because of friction produced by
trees, buildings and other obstacle.
 The effects become negligible above about
2000ft and this layer is referred to as the
friction layer.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION
OF WIND
 Over land-40% of above the friction layer
 Sea-70%

 Where v is the wind speed at height z and vo

is the wind speed at anemometer level and
k is often taken as 1/7.
Time variation of winds
 Wind speeds are highest and most variable
in winter, whereas middle and late summer
is the calmest period of the year.
 Surface wind speed is usually at a minimum
about sunrise and increases to a maximum
in early afternoon.
 At about 2000ft above the ground, the
maximum occurs at night and the minimum
in the daytime.