Why is the wind speed reported on the UW weather station website always seem to be lower than values reported on other local weather websites?
There are three factors that probably all contribute to the lower wind speed values at the UW weather station: 1.) The wind speed readings at the UW weather station are averaged over 15 minutes and thus we lose the wind gusts. I’m not sure over what time period the Environment Canada website averages their wind speed but this can have a large effect on the readings. 2.) Another consideration is that the UW weather station is relatively low compared to its surroundings and thus may be somewhat shielded from the wind. 3.) The wind speed readings at the UW weather station are taken at 3 m whereas the standard wind speed height is 10 m. To get the 10m wind speed you have to multiply the 3m wind speed by 1.5.
