WIND

We can fill pages with the measurement of surface wind. The number of manufacturers is countless.

Let us start by saying that most wind measurements can be performed without problem using conventional wind vanes. Companies with a high level of specialization in this area are:

R.M. Young, Koshin Denki, Mierij Meteo, Thies DWC and Vaisala.

When high frequency measurements are necessary, or three dimensional measurements there are the so-called sonic anemometers. Manufacturers are Gill, Koshin Denki, FT Technologies, Campbell Scientific, Young and Applied Technologies.

There are special models available that claim suitability for all types of adverse conditions: polar/mountain climates and marine use: The heated anemometers of Gill, Koshin Denki, Young, Thies (all sonic types) Vaisala (heated cup) and IRDAM & ELBW (both thermal principle) are worth looking at. A solid-state anemometer working at extremely cold conditions is offered by Goodrich.

The general observation in terms of technology is that the sonic type anemometer is gaining popularity quite rapidly, and that for some applications (military and low cost) thermal anemometers are being developed.

There are low-cost models on the market for private use see Davis Instruments.

Measuring crosswind across a large distance (up to 1 kilometer) is possible with the Scintec Scintillometer.

When purchasing a wind sensor: the good ones always will give a specification on the threshold and the linearity.

Measuring vertical profiles of wind is another topic: see Upper Air and Boundary Layer.