How to determine the wind rose for a given area. Method for constructing a compass rose
Many people associate this unusually beautiful scientific term with romance, adventure and travel. Wind rose... What is it, who invented it and when? Where is this diagram used? And how to draw a compass rose correctly? Our article will tell you about all this.
and how it is measured
One of the most important phenomena in nature is wind. In ancient times, people could not explain the essence of this phenomenon, so they often personified it in the form of various deities. Today scientists can say with full responsibility what wind is and what its nature is. Representatives of such sciences as physics, meteorology, and geography are studying this phenomenon. The wind rose helps scientists systematize and present in a condensed form the results of long-term observations of this phenomenon in a specific area.
We have known since school that wind is a horizontal flow of air that arises as a result of an uneven distribution of atmospheric pressure and moves parallel to the earth's surface. It is characterized by such parameters as force, direction and speed. The strength and speed of the wind are measured using a special device - an anemometer, and its direction - with a weather vane.
In order to determine the wind regime in a particular area (that is, where and how often it blows throughout the month or year), a special diagram was invented - a wind rose. What is it? And how to compose it correctly? This will be discussed further.
Wind rose: pictures and description
Artists, poets and even tattoo artists have long had their eye on this beautiful scientific term. At the same time, its original meaning is quite prosaic and everyday. The term is widely used in geography, meteorology, climatology, wind energy, construction and some other areas of scientific and practical human life. So, compass rose - what is it?
A wind rose is a special type of vector diagram that characterizes the wind patterns in a specific area and for a certain period of time (a month, a year or several years). Outwardly, such a diagram resembles a polygon, divided into eight (or more) points - along the main cardinal directions. What does a classic compass rose look like? The photo below will give you a visual idea of this.
Any wind rose is built on the basis of real meteorological observations. By the length of the rays of the polygon, you can easily determine the direction of the prevailing winds in a particular area (village, city, region). So, for example, if in village N 120 out of 365 days a year the wind blows from the north, then the corresponding ray on the graph will be the longest.
History of the compass rose
Meteorologists came up with a funny legend about a certain girl, Rose, who worked at a weather station and had a rather “windy” character. This is where the term “Compass Rose” supposedly comes from.
In fact, the history of this symbol goes back to ancient times. It was originally used by sailors as their professional emblem. The wind was an important assistant for any experienced sailor. Knowing its direction and seasonal characteristics, the captain accurately corrected the course and confidently led his ship on long voyages.
It is worth noting that the first full-fledged wind roses began to appear on portolans (marine navigation charts) of the 15th century. Before this, they looked more like stylized arrows on a regular compass.
Such a concept as a “wind rose” also exists in heraldry. For example, this element can be found on some city coats of arms, as well as on the emblems of such well-known organizations as the CIA or NATO.
Recently, the image of a compass rose has been very popular in the form of a tattoo. This design, applied to the skin, is considered an excellent amulet for travelers, truckers and, of course, sailors.
Types and examples of using compass roses
There are two main varieties of this mathematical diagram. This is a classic graphic and numerical compass rose. The last diagram is supplemented with corresponding numerical values indicating the number of days in a year on which the wind blew in a certain direction.
The most commonly used diagrams in meteorology are 8-beam or 16-beam diagrams. But sometimes you can also find wind roses consisting of 360 rays. Many diagrams are generated using special computer programs. They look something like this.
The wind rose chart is used in various scientific disciplines and areas of human activity. Among them:
- meteorology;
- geography;
- climatology;
- urban planning;
- ecology;
- agronomy;
- forestry and park management.
The wind rose is certainly taken into account when laying highways, constructing runways, and planning residential areas. They are also used in weather forecasts.
Drawing “Wind Rose”. How to build it correctly
To compile the most basic wind rose, you will need little: a simple pencil, a ruler, weather observation data and a calculator for calculations.
First you need to draw four axes on paper: two main ones (north-south and west-east) and two additional ones (northwest - southeast and northeast - southwest). Next, you should choose the appropriate scale for your future diagram and start plotting on each of the axes the number of days on which the wind blew in a given direction. For example, if the north wind was observed 15 days a year, then 15 divisions should be marked on the corresponding ray of the diagram.
After this, you can begin the most enjoyable part of the work - building the wind rose itself. To do this, you need to connect the points on all axes of the diagram (in the case of a standard 8-ray diagram there should be eight of them) into a single figure. At the end, for greater clarity, this figure should be shaded with some color.
You can build a compass rose very quickly and easily using the standard Microsoft Excel program. To do this, you need to select a special chart type - “Red chart”.
In conclusion
Wind rose - what is it? Now you can definitely give a detailed answer to this question. This is a vector diagram characterizing the wind regime for a particular territory. The construction of wind roses is actively practiced in meteorology, geography, ecology, agronomy, construction, forestry, etc.
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Lesson type: Practical work.
Goals:
Educational:
- developing the skills to conduct independent observation of weather elements in one’s area, analyze and process the results obtained, and formulate conclusions;
- developing skills in working with different sources of information; analyzing data and drawing conclusions;
- development of skills for correct presentation of work results.
Developmental:
- developing skills to observe the weather elements of your area;
- development of pair work skills;
- developing the ability to observe, process and analyze the received material, and draw conclusions.
Educational:
- fostering a responsible attitude towards performing teamwork;
- nurturing a creative approach to performing practical work;
- development of cognitive interest.
Equipment: computers, projector, weather diary.
Lesson progress
I. Organizational moment (organizing pair work at computers, receiving tasks, instructions on how to complete tasks.)
II. Setting lesson goals.
Target: process the material from observation diaries, construct wind roses for each month and an annual wind rose for the city of Novosibirsk, analyze and draw conclusions.
III. Updating basic knowledge:
- define the concept of “wind”;
- remember the reasons influencing the formation of wind;
- What instrument is used to determine wind direction?
- how to determine wind direction;
- On which side of the horizon is the name of the wind determined?
IV. Practical work in pairs, on computers.
A) Theoretical part. Teacher's explanation.
Wind rose
A diagram showing the directions of the prevailing winds in a given area is called a wind rose.
A wind rose is a diagram that characterizes the wind regime in a given location based on long-term observations and looks like a polygon in which the lengths of the rays diverging from the center of the diagram in different directions are proportional to the frequency of winds in these directions (“from where” the wind blows).
A wind rose, constructed based on real observational data, makes it possible, based on the length of the rays of the constructed polygon, to identify the direction of the prevailing or predominant wind, from which the air flow most often comes to a given area.
Explanation of the main elements of a compass rose (slide 3)
- The main and intermediate sides of the horizon.
- It is conventionally accepted that one segment on the graph corresponds to a certain number of days.
- On the lines of the corresponding directions, the number of days with winds of this direction is laid off from the center and a dot is placed.
- The points marked on the lines are connected sequentially, a circle is drawn in the center, in which the number of days without wind (calm) is written.
B) Practical part.
During practical work, students must construct a “Wind Rose” diagram for a certain period of time for the city of Novosibirsk. Make the appropriate entries.
The work is carried out according to the instruction card.
Student instruction card No. 1. Appendix 1. (Instruction cards 2-12)
1. Using weather observation data for the month of January, construct a wind rose diagram.
Weather for January 2008 Appendix 2 .
Algorithm for completing work for students.
1. Open the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet editor (Presentation, slide -4-6).
2. Construct a table using data from observation diaries (preliminarily calculate the wind directions in which directions there were during the month.)
Wind direction | Number of days |
WITH | 1 |
NE | 2 |
IN | 4 |
SE | 4 |
Yu | 6 |
S-W | 11 |
Z | 2 |
NW | 0 |
calm | 0 |
3. Construct an electronic wind rose (select the “Petal” diagram type), label the diagram “Wind rose for the city of Novosibirsk, January 2008.”
4. Draw a conclusion
- What directions were the winds during the month?
- How did the direction of the winds affect the temperature of a given month?
Conclusion: Most of the time in January the wind blew from the southwest - 11 days, 6 days - from the south, 4 days - from the southeast, 4 days - from the east, 3 days - there were winds from the northeast, 2 days - from the west, 1 day in January the wind blew from the north and there were no winds from the northwest at all. During the month, the winds were from the south, southeast and southwest, this state of the winds affected the temperature of the month, they were not very frosty, moderate for this month in our Novosibirsk region.
5. Create 3 slides for a general presentation, according to your month (1 slide - observation diary data table, 2nd slide - Wind Rose diagram, 3rd slide - conclusion), (Presentation, slide 7-39)
6. Construction of the diagram “Annual wind rose for the city of Novosibirsk, January 2008” (Presentation, slide 40-44).
- Enter into the spreadsheet the data that you received in your work specifically for your month (students fill out a general table for their month).
Number of days in a month | Wind direction | |||||||||
Calm | WITH | N-B | IN | S-E | Yu | S–W | Z | NW | ||
January. | 31 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 0 | |
February. | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
March. | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |
April. | 30 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | |
May. | 31 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 4 |
June. | 30 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 1 | |
July. | 31 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 2 | |
August. | 31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |
September. | 30 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 6 | |
October. | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 1 |
November. | 30 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | |
December. | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
Total. | 366 | 2 | 23 | 20 | 11 | 32 | 107 | 90 | 53 | 28 |
- Based on the data obtained, we will construct an annual wind rose for our area.
7. Formulate a conclusion for this diagram
- What directions were the winds during the year?
- What winds were there in the greatest number?
- Which winds had the least amount?
- How did the direction of the winds affect the temperature of the year?
- Most of all, 107 days a year there were winds from the south;
- 90 days a year there were winds in a southwesterly direction;
- For 32 days there were winds from the south-east direction.
Southern winds bring warm air to our territory, and at the same time warm weather sets in. In 2008, there were 209 days of southerly winds, so temperatures are relatively warm.
- 53 days there were winds from the west
Western winds usually bring moisture to our territory; data from observation diaries confirm this; often the western direction of winds is accompanied by precipitation.
- northwest winds were -28
- northern – 23
- northeastern – 20
In total, the wind blew from the north on 71 days a year, so there were not many frosty days in winter and frosts in the summer days of 2008.
V. Summing up
Students enter their slides (1st slide – observation diary data table, 2nd slide – “Compass Rose” diagram, 3rd slide – conclusion) into a general presentation on the computer and receive grades.
The direction of the wind literally plays such an insignificant role in modern life that it has gradually become an idiom, a figurative expression. Although there are still people who know how to determine the direction of the wind and regularly use these skills. Moreover, it would be hard to call them retrogrades: these are fans of active sports. Determining the direction and strength of the wind is necessary in parachuting, skiing and sailing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, gliding, etc.
Although extreme athletes do not have to determine the direction of the wind from a weather vane and/or wind rose, they have modern instruments and computer technology at their disposal. But knowledge is never superfluous, especially when health and even life depend on it. Navigators lose their network, smartwatches fail, but maps, compasses and wind roses still, like hundreds of years ago, faithfully serve to determine the direction of the wind. Learn how to measure wind speed in simple ways for your own safety.
How are wind parameters measured? Instruments for determining wind direction
It is obvious, and even more palpable, that the atmosphere surrounding us is never motionless. Air fluctuations or, in scientific terms, atmospheric circulation, is what we used to call wind. Wind, as a movement, is characterized by very specific parameters: direction, strength and speed. Even ancient researchers came up with the simplest devices for measuring wind direction, which developed and improved with technological progress:
If wind direction plays a role in your activities, it makes sense to buy a device to measure it or make an anemometer, weather vane or wind direction indicator yourself. This way you can determine the direction of the wind at any time, but this is not enough. To correctly interpret instrument readings, you need to understand the basics of determining wind direction:
- Wind direction, meaning which way the wind blows, is called aeronautical. This is a logical, but not the only measurement of wind direction.
- Meteorological wind direction shows which way the wind is blowing.
What is a compass rose? How to determine the wind direction from the wind rose?
Air movement depends on geographic location and topography. Moreover, if the strength and speed of the wind changes frequently, then the direction adheres to the main vectors typical for a particular area. To record the direction of the wind, the researchers came up with a visual graph-diagram: the so-called wind rose. A compass rose no more resembles a rose than a daisy or simply a multi-pointed star. But this is completely unimportant if you learn to determine the direction of the wind from the wind rose, as medieval sailors did and modern builders, aviators and meteorologists continue to do:
- The wind rose shows the prevailing wind direction, or prevailing wind. This is not always enough for accurate measurements, but it is necessary for choosing the trajectory of traffic, the location of construction projects and simply making a decision about purchasing a trip to a ski resort.
- The wind rose consists of coordinate axes that intersect each other at a point conventionally designated “0”. As you move away from the center, each axis is marked with segments to measure the wind force. The four rays of the compass rose indicate the cardinal directions, the eight rays indicate intermediate values, etc.
- The strength of the winds blowing in each direction over a period of time is marked on the corresponding axis. Then the extreme measurement points are connected to each other by a continuous line, forming an irregular figure. Looking at it, it immediately becomes clear in which direction the wind blows more often/stronger.
How to determine wind direction from a map? Wind and atmospheric pressure
The wind always blows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. The rotation of the Earth influences this process and deflects the direction of the wind in a spiral. This is displayed on climate maps, which can be used to determine the direction of the wind over the surface of land and water:
- During the day, the water is colder than land, so the atmospheric pressure above the water is higher, and the wind blows from the reservoir to the shore, parallel to the surf. This wind is called a sea breeze and on climate maps its direction is shown as thin, rounded arrows directed counterclockwise. At night, the water cools slowly, areas of high and low pressure over land and water change places and the night or coastal breeze blows towards the body of water (arrows on the map clockwise).
- Local winds in the mountains and on continents change direction less often. Seasonal monsoon winds change only twice a year. They obey the same principle of atmospheric pressure, but they blow from water to land in the summer, and from land in the winter. The direction of the monsoons is reflected on maps by wider arrows of different colors (usually blue and red).
- Constant winds are called trade winds. The direction of the trade winds also depends on pressure, but on a planetary scale. Thus, the lowest pressure is observed at the equator, so winds from a latitude of about 30° rush there, deviating slightly to the west. The pressure at the 56° parallel is as low as at the equator, so the trade winds also blow towards the poles, deviating to the east. All this can be seen on climate maps and globes, or simply remember that westerly winds dominate in temperate latitudes, and eastern ones at the equator.
How to determine the direction of the wind using a weather vane and other available materials?
Winter and summer tourists would probably make seasoned sailors laugh if they happened to meet through a fantastic time loop. On the one hand, we can use the wonders of technology that fit into smartphones, watches and key fobs. On the other hand, we often forget to look at even a ready-made weather forecast, not to mention stocking up on a climate map or at least a special application for determining wind direction. Just in case, remember simple ways to determine the approximate direction of the wind at a given moment:
- If you or someone nearby is barbecuing, pay attention to the smoke: it deviates in the same direction that the wind is blowing, that is, it shows the aeronautical direction of the wind.
- If a barbecue is not in your plans, take off your bandana or take a light pareo, go out to an open area of the beach or forest clearing, and raise your hand with this improvised flag. If the wind is strong enough, it will lift the fabric and direct it like a weather vane.
- While on the shore, look at the water. On a summer day, the wind will almost certainly be directed towards land, and the waves will help ensure this. However, do not confuse the direction of the wind with the flow of the river - they may not coincide.
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“Atmospheric fronts, cyclones, anticyclones” - Anticyclone. Scheme of the formation of a warm front. Knowledge about the atmospheric front. The formation diagram of which front is shown. Predominance of clear or partly cloudy weather. Cyclone. Paths of passage of cyclones. Scheme of cold front formation. Lesson outline. View from space. Atmospheric front. Air circulation. Influence on the climate of Russia. What is a cyclone?
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A wind rose is a circular vector diagram that reflects the direction of wind movement over a certain period. Such graphs are widely used in meteorology, climatology, as well as in the construction of airfield runways, residential areas and industrial zones. A stylized image of a compass rose is often used in heraldry. Today it can be seen on NATO symbols or ancient geographical maps. But unlike real diagrams, the stylized image has all the rays of equal length.
You will need
"Weather calendar", observation diary, squared lined paper, ruler, pencil, Excel tables
Instructions
For educational purposes, the wind rose is often studied in local history and geography classes, as well as in construction universities and technical schools. It is not difficult to build a simple wind rose for a certain area. This task is often completed by schoolchildren in grades 6-9.
In order to build your own wind rose, you will need data on the daily wind direction for a month or more. This information can be obtained independently through daily observations of the weather, or you can also take it from the “Weather Calendar” for the period under study.
A diagram base is then constructed to organize the observations. To do this, draw a coordinate system in which the main axes will reflect the four cardinal directions - north, east, south and west. Then, draw additional two axes through the coordinate center and mark the intermediate cardinal directions on them: northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. On each axis, place even divisions symbolizing the conditional number of days. If a monthly period is considered, the coordinate intervals may reflect one day.
After the preparatory work has been completed, you can proceed directly to constructing a wind rose. To do this, count the number of days during which the wind blew in a certain direction and plot them on each of the axes. Mark the number of days for each direction with a dot. Then carefully connect the resulting points with straight lines to form a closed polygon. Mark the number of calm days (calm) in the circle in the center of the diagram. If during the studied period of time there was no wind in any of the directions of light, the connecting line at this place should be interrupted.
As a result of the work, you will receive a wind rose for your region for the period under study. Its rays will be uneven, and the longest of them will show the prevailing direction of wind movement in the study area.
You can also build a wind rose diagram automatically in Excel.
To do this, create a file in which you enter in the form of a table the available data on the number of days and the direction of the winds. It should work out two columns : with names directions of the world and with number of windy days . Then in the menu “Insert” - “Diagram” select position Radar chart and follow the advice of the Chart Wizard. As a result, you will get a graphic image of a wind rose.