Thread: Reading Wind

Tactile and Visual Indicators

0-1 MPH Wind imperceptible.
No grass or leaf movement.
Smoke rises straight up.
Mirage runs vertical.

1-2 MPH Cooling effect of wind may be noticed.
Light movement of grasses.
Only a few leaves on any given tree in motion.
Mirage begins to lean to 12:30.

3 MPH Wind pressure can be felt on bare arms.
Grasses obviously in motion.
All leaves on any given tree in light motion.
Mirage leans to 1:00-1:30.

4 MPH Wind pressure can be felt on face.
Small twigs bearing leaf clusters begin light motion.
Mirage leans to 1:30-2:00.

5 MPH Tips of smaller branches begin motion that hold the leaf limbs.
Mirage leans to 2:00-2:15.

6 MPH The trunk branches start to move. These are the heavy limbs holding the smaller branches.
Mirage leans to 2:15-2:30.

7 MPH Larger (trunk) limbs begin motion.
Young (softer) leaves begin to flip over on windy side of trees.
Mirage leans to 2:30.

8 MPH Tree tops are in light motion.
Mature leaves flip over on windy side of trees.
Mirage leans to 2:45.

9 MPH Tree tops show obvious movement.
Almost all leaves flip over.
Mirage leans to 2:45-3:00 and begins to run.

10 MPH Wind pressure can be felt against the body.
Tree tops show substantial movement.
Mirage runs slowly and parallel to ground.


11 MPH Mirage runs quickly along the ground, begins to break up.

12 MPH Wind pressure can be felt against the body.
Mirage runs very quickly in sheltered places, mostly broken up in exposed areas.

12-15 MPH Dust is raised.
Lighter debris moves around.
Mirage blows off completely in exposed areas.

15-20 MPH Dust clouds blow around.
Debris blows around.
Smaller tree trunks sway.
Major limbs on larger trees in constant motion.

20+ MPH Difficulty walking.
Larger tree trunks sway.

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