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This week, I got a great question from Joe Gaston who wrote, “When you say there are northerly winds, I think you’re saying winds are going to the north, not coming from the north. Why?”
First off, Joe, you’re not alone in thinking this - it’s a question I’ve heard before, and it’s a good one! Wind direction is actually identified by where it’s coming FROM... Why? Quite simply, because that’s how it’s always been done.
But hey, that’s not a satisfying answer, and I know you didn’t ask just to hear that. So, I did a little digging to find out when and why wind direction got defined by where it’s coming from instead of where it’s going. Turns out, there’s no single “aha moment” in history where this convention started, but there is a pretty cool reason behind it! Let’s dive into the winds of history and science to figure this out together.
Ancient Tech Weather Vanes:
Did you know weather vanes have been keeping us in the know about wind direction for more than 2,000 years? The first known weather vane was installed in 48 BC on top of the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece. Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and weather vanes started popping up on churches across Europe. The most popular design? The good old rooster. Here’s the cool part: the arrow on a weather vane points to the direction the wind is coming from. So, if it’s pointing north, the wind is blowing from the north. That’s why we call it a “north wind”! Simple, but brilliant.
Masters of the Wind... Sailors:
When it comes to wind, no one has cared more about it throughout history than sailors. For them, it’s all about where the wind is coming from, not where it’s going. Why? Because a sailboat is most under control when its bow (the front) is pointing as close into the wind as possible - without stalling, of course. Now here’s a neat trick: compasses on boats are mounted so that north points to the bow. That means the boat’s heading (the direction it’s facing) matches what the compass reads. If a sailor wants to point their boat directly into the wind, they just align the compass reading with the wind’s direction. For example, if there’s a southeast wind - meaning the wind is blowing from the southeast - the sailor would turn the boat so its compass reads southeast. Voilà! The boat is now facing directly into the wind, ready for action.
Watching the Winds to Work the Land - Agriculture:
For early farmers, knowing where the wind was coming from wasn’t just useful, it could make or break their livelihood. A north wind, blowing down from the chilly polar regions, often brought colder air, while a south wind, straight out of the tropics, carried warmth. These shifts in wind direction gave farmers clues about weather changes, helping them prepare for frost, rain, or growing conditions. In a world without forecasts, understanding the wind was like having nature’s KPRC 2 weather app!
Why We Call It an “East Wind” - Meteorology:
Meteorology, the science of weather, really started taking shape in the 1800s, and it stuck with the age-old tradition: naming wind direction based on where the wind comes from. So, when you hear “east wind,” it means the wind is blowing from the east, heading west. It might feel a bit counterintuitive at first, but this naming convention has stood the test of time and is now used worldwide. Next time you hear me tell you a southeast wind brings warmth and humidity; you’ll know a bit of the history behind it.
If you have an Ask Anthony question, you can email me at ayanez@kprc.com or send a message to @kprc2anthony on Facebook, Instagram or X. I’d love to hear from you.
