Wind speed facts for kids
Wind speed is the speed of the weather related air movement from one place to the next.
Wind speeds usually mean the movement of air in an outside environment, but the speed of movement of air inside is also important in many cases, including weather forecasting, aircraft and maritime operations, construction and civil engineering. High wind speeds can cause unpleasant side effects, and strong winds often have special names, including gales, hurricanes, and typhoons. The highest wind speed ever measured on earth, 253 miles per hour, was recorded on Barrow Island, Australia.
Measurement
The most simple method of measuring wind speed is to estimate the speed from the observed event against the Beaufort Scale. Obviously, this method is not the most accurate available, so each value on the scale represents a range of values, three on the scale, for example, covers the wind speeds between seven and ten knots.
Images for kids
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An anemometer is commonly used to measure wind speed.
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The original anemometer that measured The Big Wind in 1934 at Mount Washington Observatory
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Modern day anemometer used to capture wind speed.
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Anemometer on an outdoor stage set, to measure wind speed
