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When the wind blows… keeping track of Wick’s windy weather





Weather Watch by Keith Banks

An anemometer is an instrument used by meteorologists to measure wind speed. Wind direction can also be recorded if a wind vane is incorporated.

Washing blowing on a clothes line behaves like a primitive anemometer because the faster the wind, the stronger the force it exerts, and the more nearly is the fastened washing elevated to the horizontal on the line.

Perspective of Argyle Square, Wick, November 7, 2024. Picture: Keith Banks
Perspective of Argyle Square, Wick, November 7, 2024. Picture: Keith Banks

A wind sock is the simplest practical anemometer and consists of a tube of cloth attached to a metal ring that can pivot on the top of a pole. The cloth tube streams out from the pole depending on the strength of the wind. This provides a meaningful indication of the wind speed.

A cup anemometer is the most common type of anemometer. It consists of three or four cups that are installed on a horizontal rod. When the wind blows, it catches the cups and causes them to spin. Cup anemometers are precise and accurate, and are commonly employed at weather stations and airports.

A vane anemometer comprises of a wheel, with blades attached. When the wind blows the blades align with the wind and rotate the wheel. Similar to a cup anemometer, the wind speed is calculated from the number of rotations that are recorded for each minute.

Wind speed can also be established by measuring air pressure. A tube anemometer uses air pressure to find wind speed. This type measures the air pressure inside a tube that is closed at one end. The wind speed is calculated by comparing the air pressure inside the tube with the air pressure outside the tube.

The standard exposure for an anemometer is 30 feet, on top of a pole. Whenever possible they should be located on level terrain, situated well away from any buildings or other obstructive physical features.

A review of Wick’s mean air temperature for November showed that November 2024 was the mildest since that of 2022, and that it is currently the 25th equal most mild in a series commencing from 1910. The burgh’s mean air temperature was identical in November 1938.

In terms of precipitation, November 2024 was the driest since that of 2020. A closer look at the town’s rainfall archive for a series of Novembers stretching back to 1910 confirmed that it is presently the 17th least wet.

Autumn 2024 was Wick’s coolest since that of 2019. Mean air temperature was 9.40C (48.32F).

Wick’s mean air temperature for autumn, in terms of the 30-year averaging period 1991-2020, is 9.11C (48.40F).

Autumn 2024 was Wick’s driest since that of 2016. The precipitation total was 213.4mm (8.40 inches). The long-term average for autumn is presently 246.7mm (9.71 inches).

Wick’s mean air temperature for November 2024 was 6.80C (44.24F). The long-term average in terms of averaging period 1991-2020 is 6.38C (43.48F).

The town’s average daily maximum air temperature was 9.43C (48.97F). The current long-term average is 8.87C (47.97F).

Highest maximum was 14.1C (57.4F), recorded on November 6, 7, and 15 respectively. Lowest maximum was 1.6C (34.9F), logged on November 18.

Wick’s average daily minimum air temperature for November 2024 was 4.17C (39.51F).

The long-term average for the month, in terms of the current 30-year averaging period, is 3.88C (38.98F). Highest minimum was 10.7C (51.3F), observed on November 7.

Air frosts occurred on seven dates. The lowest air temperature witnessed was minus 4.2C (24.4F), on November 23.

The temperature fell to 0C (32F) or lower at 5cm over the grass on nine dates. Lowest temperature over the grass was minus 6.8C (19.8F) noted on November 23.

Precipitation was measurable on 24 dates. The total for the month was 49.8mm (1.96 inches), or 56.9 per cent of the current long-term average for November. Wettest day was November 28. The amount logged during the 24 hours commencing 9am (GMT), was 12.0mm (0.47 of an inch).

There were no “days of gale” experienced during the month. However, wind velocities reached or surpassed gale 8 (39.0mph/33.9knots), on eight dates.

The strongest wind velocity was observed during the hour ending 3pm (GMT), on November 23 when a force 7 east-south-east wind gusted up to 51.8mph/45.0knots, severe gale force 9 on the Beaufort scale.


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