Junior Cycle Geography CYCLONE How a Wind Vane Works A wind vane
The wind vane is a free-moving arrow on a high mast.
The tail of the arrow is wide and blown forward by the wind.
This allows the head of the arrow to point in the direction from which the wind is blowing.
How an Anemometer Works An anemometer
Three cups rotate when the wind blows. The stronger the wind, the faster they move.
The number of times the cups rotate is used to calculate wind speed. It is recorded and displayed on the meter.
According to the arrowhead, from which direction is the wind blowing?
The Beaufort Scale
In 1810, an Irish-born admiral named Francis Beaufort invented a scale for measuring the ‘force’ (strength) of wind by observing its effects on trees, water and other familiar objects. Modern shipping weather forecasts still refer to wind ‘force’ as used in the Beaufort scale .
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FUN FACT! The rooster you see on top
of the wind vane is just for decoration!
They came into fashion in the ninth century when Pope Nicholas ordered that all weather vanes feature them. Can you think of what they might symbolise? Think of what happened at Easter.