A wind rose is a graphical tool that shows the distribution of wind speed and direction at a specific location over a certain period of time. It is often used by meteorologists, navigators, and engineers to analyze the wind patterns and conditions. A wind rose consists of a circular chart with spokes or rays that point to different directions, such as north, south, east, and west. The length of each spoke indicates the frequency or percentage of time that the wind blows from that direction. The spokes are also divided into segments or bands that represent different ranges of wind speed, usually with different colors. A wind rose can also show the angle of declination, which is the difference between the geographic north and the magnetic north, or the angle of convergence, which is the difference between the geographic north and the grid north. A wind rose can have various shapes and styles, depending on the design and purpose of the chart. Some examples of wind rose types are:
- Simple wind rose: This is the most basic type of wind rose, which has a single line with an arrowhead pointing to the north and a circle with spokes showing the wind frequency and speed.
- Compass rose: This is a more elaborate type of wind rose, which has a circle with four or more points showing the cardinal and intermediate directions and a smaller circle with spokes showing the wind frequency and speed. It can also show the angle of declination or the compass points.
- Grid rose: This is a type of wind rose that shows the direction of the grid north, which is the north-south axis of a coordinate system, such as the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). It can also show the angle of convergence or the grid coordinates.
- Decorative rose: This is a type of wind rose that has a decorative or artistic design, such as a feather, a star, or a sun. It can also have a historical or cultural significance, such as a fleur-de-lis, a cross, or a swastika.
