6. Wind and its types

Air moves both horizontally and vertically. The 'wind' is the vertical movement, and 'air current' is the horizontal movement of air. The wind always flows from the region of high pressure to that of the low-pressure region. Unlike other elements, gusts and eddies can only be felt and not seen. Winds are named after the direction from which they blow.

Anemometer: Records wind speed

Wind Vane: Measures the direction of the wind
Unit: Kilometre per hour or knots

 

Beaufort scale, in full Beaufort wind force scale, is a scale devised in \(1805\ \)by Commander Francis Beaufort of the British navy for observing and classifying wind force at sea. The Beaufort scale is a scale for measuring wind speed. It is based on observation rather than accurate measurement.

Metrologist uses wind vane or weathercock to measure wind direction. To depict the direction and periods (No. of days) of prevailing winds on the map Wind rose diagram is used.

Meteorograph or triple register is an instrument that records wind speed and direction, sunshine and precipitation. It also provides graphic representation.

Winds are generally classified into the following four major types: