What is an Anemometer?
An anemometer is a meteorological device that is used to measure wind velocity. Anemometers come in a variety of forms, but the simplest type is the cup anemometer. The cup anemometer consists of a vertical pole with four horizontal arms attached to the top. Cups are attached to the ends of the four arms, and the wind causes the cups to rotate the arms around the central pole. The cup anemometer is prone to friction, which makes it less accurate than the more advanced versions. Cup anemometers, however, are sufficient for personal use. A person using one can calculate the wind speed by multiplying the cups’ revolutions per minute by the circumference of the circle the cups create. The product will be a close estimate of the wind’s speed per minute. The windmill anemometer is similar to its namesake, the windmill, in that it must be parallel to the direction of the wind in order to work properly. A wind vane, attached to the tail of the anemometer, is pushed around until the propeller i
An anemometer is the modern descendent of the weather vane. The anemometer (or wind gauge) measures wind speed and direction. Tiny cups on the anemometer capture the wind and spin round and round. The revolutions-per-minute of the cups determines wind speed. Anemometers also help determine wind chill temperature.
An anemometer is a meteorological device used to measure aspects of wind. An anemometer is a device typically found in a weather station, although the devices can be used as a stand-alone as well. The name is derived from the Greek word “anemos,” which means wind. Anemometers measure several aspects of wind: • Velocity • Pressure Typically, anemometers are categorized into these two categories: velocity and pressure anemometers. However, because there is such a close connection between these two aspects of wind (velocity and pressure), either anemometer will usually give adequate information about both.
