Observing Wind

The next time a storm comes, pay close attention to the wind. Is it always windy during a storm? What direction is the wind coming from? Are there times during a storm when the wind is calm? Use the tools below to watch the wind more closely.

Can you see wind? You can't see the air, but you know when it's windy. What does the wind move that we can see? CLICK on the button to the left to make a wind spiral, which can help you see the wind.

Can you hear wind? During a hurricane, the wind can make a deafening roar for hours on end. What else could help you hear the wind? CLICK on the button to the left to make a wind chime. A gentle breeze and a simple wind chime make beautiful music together!

Can you measure the wind's speed? Try estimating how fast the wind is moving. CLICK on the button to the left to make a wind scale tool. Or, you can take a field trip to The Franklin Institute to make an anemometer, or "wind measurer".

Can you measure wind direction? A wind vane indicates which direction the wind is blowing. You may have seen an orange wind sock at an airport, which helps pilots measure wind direction. CLICK on the button to the left to make a wind streamer, which will help you estimate wind direction.

Weather Station	Hurricanes! Menu	Museum Menu

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Science Learning Network / Inquiry Resources