Wind

Wind Speed

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It is hard to believethat the wind that blows

gently enough to refresh you on a warm day

can also blow so ferociously that it destroys

everything in its path.

Wind speedis measured by

an instrument called ananemometer.

www.thunderheadtech.com

wings.avkids.com

Wind speedcan be estimated by using the

Beaufort Scale.

Force 0 Calm  1 1

Force 1 Light air  3 5

Force 2 Light Breeze 7 11

Force 3 Gentle Breeze 11 18

Force 4 Moderate Breeze 19 30

Force 5 Fresh Breeze 24 39

mph kph

Force 6 Strong Breeze 31 50

Force 7 Near Gale  38 61 Force 8 Gale 46 74

Force 9 Strong Gale 54 87

Force 10 Storm 63 102

Force 11  Violent Storm 73 117

Force 12 Hurricane 74 120

Beaufort Scale (continued)

mph kph

++

Wind movesfrom

high pressure areasto

low pressure areas.

H L

Wind blows fasteras the

difference in temperature increases

between two areas of pressure.

96

96 60

75

96 75

96 60

96 - 75 = 21 96 - 60 = 36

 The wind blows faster in the second scenario because there is a greater difference in temperature there (36 ) than in the first scenario (21 ).

High Pressure Low Pressure

56

70

67

30 19

45

1624

32

73

H L

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

 For scenarios a-e, calculate the differences in temperature as air moves from high to low pressure systems. Then put blue letters a-e in order from fastest to slowest winds. Use the scrap paper to help you.

a

b

c

d

e

Temp.Difference 70 45 67 32 30

19 73 56 24 16

fast slowTap the starto check your answers.

Highpressure systems

usually bringfair, calm weather.

Lowpressure systems

often bringunpleasant, windy weather.

 High winds can be dangerous. Can you match the wind storms below with their descriptions?

Wind that spinsin the shape of a funnel

Powerful wind and rainstorm that starts as atropical depression

Heavy snowstormwith high winds

Blizzard HurricaneTornado

Things to Review:

Learn more at:

Assessment Print-out link

http://www.fi.edu/weatherED/

http://www.weather.com/glossary

Instruments that measure wind speed

What effects wind speed and direction

Typical weather for high and low pressure systems

Three major wind storms

56

70

67

30 19

45

1624

32

73

H L

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

 For scenarios a-e, calculate the differences in temperature as air moves from high to low pressure systems. Then put blue letters a-e in order from fastest to slowest winds. Use the scrap paper to help you.

ab cd e

Temp.Difference

70 45 67 32 30

19 73 56 24 16

fast slow

25

8

17

11

35

Go back.

Move ahead.

 High winds can be dangerous. Can you match the wind storms below with their descriptions?

Wind that spinsin the shape of a funnel

Powerful wind and rainstorm that starts as atropical depression

Heavy snowstormwith high winds Blizzard

Hurricane

Tornado

Wri

tten

Assessm

en

t

Name - Date -

What instrument measures wind speed accurately?  ________________

Wind blows ________________ as the difference in temperature ________________ between two areas of pressure.  [faster/slower, increases/decreases]

Complete the following:

Wind moves from _______ pressure areas to _______ pressure areas. [high/low]

A _______ pressure system is likely to bring unpleasant, windy weather.   [high/low]

In which scenario would there be less wind as the temperature changes? ____ [A/B/C]

Low Pressure

43

26

35

High Pressure

53

59

68

A

B

C

Scenario