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<br />OOH82 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Anemometers developed specifically to measure high wind velocities <br />commonly are not suitable at low velocities. Among wind vanes, one that <br />is heavy may oscillate less than one that is light and so may mask short- <br />period changes in direction, or may over-swing on sudden changes. A vane <br />that is large and that has a relatively long tail tends to smooth out <br />many whirlS and eddies to which a short vane would respond. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mechanical failure during periods of low temperature may involve <br />complete stoppage by accumulated ice or snow, or substantial under-registry <br />owing to cQngealed lubricant in bearings. An instrument impropel'lyeleaned <br />and oiled may under-register at any time. As will be obvious, erroneous <br />records so caused are all but impossible to identify and adjust. <br /> <br />Use of data on wind <br /> <br />Wind records are useful for a wide range of purposes, including <br />(1) the selection of sites for airports, industrial plants, wind-power <br />generators~ and meteorologic stations; (2) estimating wind loads on <br />buildings,'television towers, or other struetures;(3) study of the <br />distributiQn and dilution of dust, pollen, pollutants, and cloud-seeding <br />nuclei; (4) determining wind effect on the formation and movement of ice <br />in streams;and lakes; also on wave action and its relation to shore erosion <br />and to loa~ing and movement of ships; and (~) weather forecasting, both in <br />general an~ in particular regard to forest~fire warning and fighting, frost <br />warning, and air-borne commerce. <br /> <br />Wind ts a principal variable in the investigation, forecastipg or <br />calculation of evaporation. Its speed, direction, eddy structure and <br />variation with height influence the rate at which the vapor molecules <br />are removed from the immediate vicinity of the liquid surface. <br /> <br />Wind ts responsible for drifting and strongly effects the deposit of <br />snow aroun~ and on obstacles such as buildings, fences, bridges, and roofs. <br />It is a releVant parameter in the estimation and study of snoW-melt rates <br />and amounts. <br /> <br /> <br />. VI.4 <br /> <br />Wind is known to have substantial influence on the catch of precipitation <br />gages, the catch diminishing as wind speed increases. This effect is I1I\ldh <br />more marke<;l with snow than with rain. It can be countered by shielding the <br />gage orifice and by locating gages at sites protected from the wind. <br /> <br />The orography of a region has a pronounced effect on wind flow, whiqh <br />in turn strongly itlfluences the rate and distribution of precipitation. <br />These orog:i'aphic influences can result in more preCipitation on windward <br />slopes and'on steep slopes than on lee slopes and gentle slopes. <br />