Last week we learned how to measure wind speed by making an anemometer (a wind speed gauge). This week we stay on the chapter of wind by making a wind vane.
A wind vane is one of the oldest tools in weather. It tells us the direction the wind is blowing. Wind vanes are found on top of buildings such as homes, barns, parking garages, and at the airport weather stations, we even have one on the First Warning Weather van.
They need to be high off the ground so they capture an open breeze. Many times on farms you will see a wind vanes attached to the top of a barn in the shape of a farm animal, usually a rooster.
The directions of the wind match the direction the arrow. When the wind catches both sides of the arrow equally, the arrow stops moving and the true wind direction is found.
When the wind blows from the South, it will warm up. When it blows from the North, it will cool down. When it blows from the West a storm might be coming. And when it blows from the East, dry weather might be on its way.
Try it and then send me an e-mail and tell me how it came out. Take some pictures of you and your Wind Vane and send those as well!
Be sure to check back next week for the a new class in A.J's Summer School.
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