Learn how to read wind direction in degrees, tell where it is blowing, interpret windsocks and METARs, and choose the correct runway.
Wind direction is named for the direction the air comes from, not where it is going. A 270° wind is a westerly wind: it arrives from the west and blows towards the east. Face into the wind and you are looking towards its reported direction; turn around to look downwind.
How is wind direction read in degrees?
Read the three-digit direction clockwise from north as the bearing from which the wind is blowing. The four cardinal directions provide the easiest reference points:
| Reported direction | Wind name | Comes from | Blows towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360° | Northerly | North | South |
| 090° | Easterly | East | West |
| 180° | Southerly | South | North |
| 270° | Westerly | West | East |
| 225° | South-westerly | South-west | North-east |
To find where the air is going, calculate the reciprocal direction: add or subtract 180°. Wind from 240° therefore blows towards 060°. Phrases such as “wind 240 at 12” still mean from 240°; “at 12” is the speed in knots.
In a METAR, 24012G22KT means wind from 240° at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots. VRB03KT means the direction is variable, while 00000KT means calm. A group such as 180V260 gives the observed variation limits. Our guide to decoding METAR wind and weather groups covers the complete report format.
How do windsocks, weather vanes and wind barbs point?
A windsock's wide mouth faces upwind and its tapered end trails downwind. If the narrow end points east, the wind is coming from the west and blowing east.
- Weather vane: The pointer normally faces into the wind while the broad tail is pushed downwind. See our explanation of how a weather vane indicates the wind's source.
- Wind barb: The shaft extends towards the direction the wind comes from; the feathers show its speed.
- Smoke, flags and trees: Their movement shows where the air is going, so it is opposite the named wind direction.
A mistake we see constantly in flight simulation is following the windsock's tail as though it pointed into the wind. It does not: the tail streams away from the source.
Is aviation wind direction true or magnetic?
Aviation wind direction may be referenced to true or magnetic north, depending on the source. Coded METAR directions and upper-air forecasts normally use true north; runway numbers use approximate magnetic headings. Winds supplied operationally to aircraft by a tower or ATIS are normally magnetic, although procedures and simulator implementations can differ.
Check the label or source before making a precise comparison. If a METAR gives true wind but the runway heading is magnetic, account for local magnetic variation when calculating an exact crosswind component. For an obvious runway choice, the difference may be immaterial; near a runway-selection or aircraft-limit threshold, it is not.
Which runway faces into the wind?
The preferred runway normally has a heading closest to the direction the wind comes from, giving an aircraft a headwind for take-off and landing. Compare both values using the same true or magnetic reference.
- Read the wind source: Identify its direction, speed, gusts and whether it is true or magnetic.
- Compare runway headings: Runway 27 is aligned approximately 270° magnetic, so wind from 270° is a direct headwind.
- Find the angle: Less than 90° gives some headwind; more than 90° gives some tailwind; 90° is a direct crosswind.
- Confirm the result: Check the windsock, ATIS or assigned runway rather than relying on one simulator weather display.
On Runway 27, wind from 090° is a tailwind. Wind from 360° comes from the aircraft's right and blows it towards the left. Our crosswind landing procedure and correction guide explains what to do with that component.
Wind is not the only factor in runway use: terrain, instrument procedures, runway length, noise restrictions and airport traffic can all affect the assignment. Once the runway is established, use the same wind picture to select the circuit direction and correct for drift when flying the traffic pattern.