What are the uses of an anemometer?

Anemometers, or windmeters, are used to determine how fast wind blows. They are commonly found at weather stations. Windmeters are also able to measure wind's pressure, but most homemade models only provide estimates.

Wind is the movement of air from higher pressure areas to lower pressure areas. Wind cannot be seen, though its effects on objects in the environment are visible. Weather vanes are used to measure wind's direction. This information is important because weather travels according to the wind's pattern or route. When using a wind vane, familiarity with the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west is vital.