What is wind speed?

Wind speed is the rate or movement of air flow as it travels from high to low pressure, in relation to the Earth. Warm air rises because it weighs less than cold air, and the cold air then moves in and replaces the warm air.

Wind speed is important because it affects aircraft, ships at sea, weather forecasts and construction projects. Wind speed can be affected by buildings, trees and other types of obstacles. There are many different types of wind patterns, such as monsoons, downbursts, derechos, gusts and jet streams. Wind direction also affects how cold or warm weather patterns are.