The Use of the Weather Vane as an Instrument

for Gathering Home Weather Forecasting Data

weathervane image

A weathervane, to most people, is simply an instrument that tells them which direction the wind is blowing. That is, of course, it's main purpose and any would-be weather forecaster would certainly need to have one in his or her array of weather instruments. It is an essential tool for observing and predicting weather patterns. However, the flare with which this simple task is completed is the line that separates the plain from the ornate.

The weather vane or "windvane" is so called because, when mounted appropriately on a turning bearing, it will point in the direction that the wind is blowing. These gadgets cannot be balanced in the middle because it is the slightly increased weight in the rear of the contraption that gives the wind direction indicator in the front of the vane it's uniqueness. The weight should always be at the rear so that the pointer or arrow points in the opposite direction when the wind blows the weighted portion of the vane. Next time you see a weathervane, notice this fact.

Also, a wind vane can be a plain piece of metal or board or it can be a masterpiece of art on a swinging bearing. The imagination, or lack thereof, of the builder is what gives any wind direction indicator its unique place in the world of weather instruments.

Of course there will be those whose only purpose is determining the direction of the wind. These are the serious geek weather observing bugs. Then there are those who choose to flaunt not only the fact that they care about the wind direction but also about how it is offered to the viewer.

There are many styles of weathervanes and they are made from many different substances, the most being wood or metal. Wood succumbs to the elements much faster than metal but the short flare of the design may be worthwhile. It all depends on the purpose of the owner.

Copper is a favorite metal for windvanes simply because it holds up well in all types of weather. The shapes and sizes of wind instruments are somewhat limited as they usually stay within a "practical" size and no artistic statements are "usually" made by humongous flamboyant vanes.

Why is it important to know what direction the wind is blowing? Because when wind comes from certain directions, there is usually a good chance that the weather is going to change either for the better or for the worse. Practically everyone has heard of the "Norther'" which is a wind blowing from the North toward the South. This type of wind usually brings with it a storm. If the season is the fall or Winter, the storm is usually accompanied by harsh conditions such as heavy snow, sleet or rain.

If Southern winds prevail, chances are that warmer weather is in store. East to West winds often bring severe weather, depending on the seasonal norms. If the norm is that the wind blows from the West and suddenly it begins to blow harder from the East, there is a good chance that the weather is going to change to something a bit more foul.

Of course, the wind direction alone does not always indicate change. However, when used in conjunction with other weather instruments such as barometers, thermometers, hygrometers and anemometers, along with a few weather maps and "thingamajiggies" in a personal weather station the forecasting becomes a lot more accurate.