Final answer:
Wind speed is measured by finding the average speed over a set period, often 1 to 10 minutes for sustained winds. Sustained wind measurements are vital for weather prediction and assessing wind energy potential. Specifically, the power available from wind increases exponentially with wind velocity, which is important for the efficiency of wind turbines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wind speed is measured by calculating the average speed of wind over a standard period of time. To measure sustained wind, meteorologists often look at the average wind speed recorded by an anemometer typically over a 1 to 10 minute period, depending on the standard set by the respective meteorological organization. Sustained wind measurements are crucial for understanding weather patterns, predicting storms, and for the operation of wind turbines, which operate more efficiently at certain wind speeds.
Referring to energy potential, the power available from wind is a cubic function of wind velocity, which means it increases exponentially with speed. On a large scale, average wind speeds can provide valuable data for assessing a region's wind energy potential, which is indicated by measurements like those showing that the annual average wind velocity at a height of 80 meters, where wind turbines often operate, ranges from 4-8 m/s across the United States.
For example, extreme wind speeds, such as the 45.0 m/s (100 mi/h) sustained winds occasionally experienced in Boulder, Colorado, can have significant effects due to the Bernoulli effect, as factors like air density and surface area interact with wind speed to exert forces on structures.