1. What is a Wind Speed and Direction Calculator?

Definition: This calculator breaks down wind speed and direction into horizontal (v_x) and vertical (v_y) components.

Purpose: It's essential for meteorology, aviation, engineering, and any field requiring analysis of wind vector components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses trigonometric formulas:

Where:

• \( v \) — Wind speed (m/s)
• \( \theta \) — Wind direction angle (degrees from reference direction)
• \( v_x \) — Horizontal component (m/s)
• \( v_y \) — Vertical component (m/s)

Explanation: The calculator converts the polar representation (speed and angle) into Cartesian components.

3. Importance of Wind Component Calculation

Details: Component analysis helps in flight planning, structural wind loading calculations, weather forecasting, and navigation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wind speed in m/s and direction angle in degrees (0-360°). Angle is typically measured clockwise from north.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the standard reference direction?
A: Typically 0° points east (mathematical convention) or north (meteorological convention). Check your application's standard.

Q2: How are negative components interpreted?
A: Negative v_x means wind from west, negative v_y means wind from south (if 0° is east).

Q3: What units are used for wind speed?
A: This calculator uses m/s, but you can convert from km/h (÷3.6) or knots (÷1.944).

Q4: How precise should the angle be?
A: For most applications, 1° precision is sufficient. High-precision applications may need 0.1°.

Q5: Can I calculate resultant wind from components?
A: Yes, use \( v = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2} \) and \( \theta = \arctan(v_y/v_x) \) (with quadrant adjustment).