Wind direction is the direction from which a wind originates. It is usually reported in cardinal directions or in azimuth degrees.
There are a variety of instruments used to measure wind direction, such as the windsock and wind vane. Both of these instruments work by moving to minimize air resistance. The way a weather vane is pointed by prevailing winds indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing. The opening of a windsock faces the direction that the wind is blowing; its tail points in the opposite direction.
Modern instruments used to measure wind speed and direction are called anemometers and wind vanes respectively. These types of instruments are used by the wind energy industry, both for wind resource assessment and turbine control.
In primitive situations where these modern instruments are not available, a person can use their index finger to test the direction of wind. This would be done by wetting the finger and pointing it upwards. Thus, the side of the finger which feels cool is the direction from which wind is blowing. The coolness is caused by an increased rate of evaporation of the moisture on the finger due to the air flow across the finger. The same principle is used to measure the dew point (using a sling psychrometer, a more accurate instrument than the human finger), and thus the "finger technique" of measuring wind direction does not work well in either very humid or very hot conditions.
See also
- Yamartino method for calculating the standard deviation of wind direction
- Apparent wind
- Wind Power
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