What Directions Does a Weather Vane Point?
The weather vane is one of the earliest weather instruments to be invented. It can point in any direction and can provide clues to current and upcoming weather conditions.
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Identification
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A typical weather vane. A weather vane typically sits at the top of a building. It is usually made in a decorative shape with a compass set above or below, so that the direction it is pointing in can be easily determined.
Significance
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Knowing which way the wind is blowing, along with other sky conditions, sometimes allows short-term weather predictions, as winds from specific directions can indicate particular patterns.
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Function
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For a weather vane to work, a portion of the mechanism, usually the tail, must be larger (often flat). This offers resistance to the wind, turning the vane to point in the direction from which the wind is blowing.
History
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The first known weather vane appeared around 50 B.C. at the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece, a bronze Triton holding a rod in an outstretched hand.
Considerations
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According to Questia.com, to provide accurate measurements, a weather vane should be placed at twice the height of the nearest obstacle so that the true wind direction is not obstructed.
Fun Fact
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One of the world's largest and most unusual weather vanes is located in Whitehorse, Canada. It is the shell of a retired DC-3 aircraft.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Busy again) (Athena Flickr
