How to Count Wind Speed: Knots vs Km/h
Wind speed is a crucial factor in various activities such as sailing, kiteboarding, and aviation. It helps determine the safety and efficiency of these activities. Two common units of measurement for wind speed are knots and kilometers per hour (km/h). In this blog post, we will discuss how to count wind speed using knots and km/h.
Understanding Knots
A knot is a unit of measurement that is commonly used to measure wind speed in the maritime industry. One knot is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is based on the circumference of the earth and is approximately 1.15 statute miles or 1.85 kilometers.
To count wind speed in knots, you will need a device called an anemometer, which measures wind speed. An anemometer typically displays the wind speed in knots or meters per second (m/s). To convert m/s to knots, divide the m/s value by 0.514.
For example, if an anemometer displays a wind speed of 10 m/s, the wind speed in knots would be 19.44 (10/0.514).
Understanding Km/h
Km/h is a unit of measurement that is commonly used to measure wind speed in land-based activities. One km/h is equivalent to one kilometer per hour. To count wind speed in km/h, you can use an anemometer that displays the wind speed in km/h or convert the wind speed from knots to km/h.
To convert wind speed from knots to km/h, multiply the knots value by 1.852.
For example, if an anemometer displays a wind speed of 20 knots, the wind speed in km/h would be 37.04 (20 x 1.852).
Factors to Consider When Measuring Wind Speed
When measuring wind speed, there are several factors that you should consider to ensure accurate readings. These factors include:
- Positioning: The anemometer should be positioned at a height of at least 10 meters above ground level to avoid interference from surrounding objects such as buildings and trees.
- Calibration: The anemometer should be calibrated regularly to ensure that it is providing accurate readings.
- Wind direction: Wind speed readings can vary depending on the direction of the wind. Therefore, it is essential to measure wind speed in different directions and take an average reading.
- Wind gusts: Wind gusts can cause sudden spikes in wind speed. Therefore, it is essential to measure wind speed over a period of time to obtain an average reading.
Which Unit of Measurement is Better: Knots or Km/h?
The choice between knots and km/h depends on the activity and the industry. Knots are commonly used in the maritime industry as it is based on the nautical mile, which is the standard unit of distance in maritime navigation. Km/h is commonly used in land-based activities such as cycling, running, and driving.
In the aviation industry, both units of measurement are used. Knots are used to measure airspeed, while km/h is used to measure ground speed.
