Understanding Wind Speed and Direction with Wind Barbs
How to complete the blank?
Highest wind speeds were found at about 225 mb, from the west-southwest at about ______ knots (two flags, three long feathers, and one short feather on the wind shaft).
a.100
b.115
c.135
d.155
Answer:
Highest wind speeds were found at about 225 mb, from the west-southwest at about 135 knots, option C.
Understanding the wind barb:
A wind barb is a graphical representation of wind speed and direction used in meteorology. The flag at the end of the barb indicates a wind speed of 50 knots.
Each long feather on the barb adds 10 knots to the wind speed.
Each short feather adds 5 knots to the wind speed.
Interpreting the wind barb in this case:
We have two flags, which means 2 * 50 knots = 100 knots.
We have three long feathers, which add 3 * 10 knots = 30 knots.
We have one short feather, which adds 5 knots.
Adding all these contributions, we get the total wind speed: 100 knots + 30 knots + 5 knots = 135 knots.