wind strength/direction

[mynthdd2]

Can anyone recommend a handheld device that can be used to indicate wind strength and direction?

thanks

[Skyelines]

There are lots of anemometers available, for example https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?Search=anemometer just need to take a compass too.

If you have a compatible phone there is this https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/en/Weatherflow-WindMeter/m-7314.aspx

[mynthdd2]

Thanks for this - I know about the compass but it is often (at 2m off the ground) not easy to determine the direction especially eg due to katabatibc conditions - general wind direction is probably too difficult to ascertain at low levels but certainly helps when heavy rain (at mid/higher altitudes) could either catch me or not

PS any recommended anemometer for wind speed?

[jmarkb]

I have one of the Skywatch Xplorer ones. Works fine, but you might get away with something cheaper. I think the higher end models now give you direction as well, but I assume they are just measuring the direction you are pointing it in, so no more accurate than a compass. I just use mine for fun to see how windy it really is. Went off the scale (>99 mph) once on a very blustery day on the Red Cuillin! What’s your intended usage?

[scoob999]

I use one of these

https://r-p-r.co.uk/kestrel/2000-handheld-thermo-anemometer.php

[WalkWithWallace]

I use one of these

https://r-p-r.co.uk/kestrel/2000-handheld-thermo-anemometer.php

That's exactly what I use and purchased from the same company.

[Cairngorm creeper]

I use one of these

https://r-p-r.co.uk/kestrel/2000-handheld-thermo-anemometer.php

That's exactly what I use and purchased from the same company.

And me, Really like the temperature function but I don’t think mine shows wind direction .

[SummitStupid]

Just out of interest, why do people want to know wind speed and direction?

[jmarkb]

Just out of interest, why do people want to know wind speed and direction?

For me, it's just out of interest, no real practical reason!

[Cairngorm creeper]

Just out of interest, why do people want to know wind speed and direction?

Just out of interest, but also gives me a better idea of what to expect from weather forecasts.

[Giant Stoneater]

Just out of interest, why do people want to know wind speed and direction?

People like to know which direction wind/rain/snow is going to give them a facial scrub when on a hill.

[SummitStupid]

I remember camping at Lochan Dearg a Chuil Mhoir beneath Cul Mor a few years ago, and the wind suddenly picked up from blowy to outrageous right after I got my tent up. The hanging valley was acting as a wind tunnel. I spent a sleepless night trying to prop the tent up with my knees, and it just about survived apart from a torn pole sleeve. I've always imagined it to be about 50-60mph, but I would love to know just how fast it was blowing that night. The next morning water was blowing from the lake into my coffee, which had taken me about 20 minutes to brew behind a boulder

[Caberfeidh]

Just out of interest, why do people want to know wind speed and direction?

On a ship at sea it's quite necessary, every morning we have a meeting where the Captain reads out the weather forecast which includes sea-state. Up in the hills we are faced with similar potentially life-threatening weather conditions. Some of us have even had tents sunk. Once up at Loch A'an I spent a terrible night having the tent battered against me all night long after a calm and windless, frosty day. In the morning as I struggled to put on my gaiters, a gaiter was whipped from my hand by the gale, and was halfway down Loch A'an by the time I turned my head to see. The hills make their own winds, known as Katabatic winds, now there's lively!

Katabatic winds, minus twenty centigrade, 1200 feet above sea level. Chilly.

[Caberfeidh]

If you're heading to the hills there are weather stations dotted around which you can check on line; a nice help for those planning trips to the hills. http://cairngormweather.eps.hw.ac.uk/current.htm

[Caberfeidh]

And my mates and I still speak fondly of the time we were in a tent on a hilltop above Balquidder, the tent being battered against us by a wild storm of wind and rain. We switched on the radio only to hear the weather forecast announced in plummy BBC tones : "Gale Force Nine Conditions Worsening..."