Wind Rose Plots

A wind rose plot is a graphic used by meteorologist to illustrate in a convenient format the typical distribution of wind direction and speed at a given location. The circular graphic typically shows the frequency with which winds blow from each direction. The length of each "spoke" around the circle illustrates the percentage of time that the wind blows from a particular direction. Each concentric circle represents a different frequency from zero at the center, increasing with the distance from the center. emanating from zero at the center to increasing frequencies at the outer circles. Wind roses may also contain wind speed information by breaking each spoke down with color codes to show the frequency with which wind blows from a given direction in certain speed ranges. Typical wind roses show 16 cardinal directions, such as north (N), NNE, NE, etc.

A Typical Wind Rose Plot - Note that data for the plot was 

gathered over an extended period of time.