Wind and coast

Swell and wind sea: the difference and coastal risks

Learn how wind sea, swell and combined sea differ, and why dangerous waves can reach the coast even when the local wind is light.

Crosswinds while driving: anticipating gusts and the shielding effect

A practical guide to driving in crosswinds: exposed locations, sudden gusts, vehicle shielding, overtaking and vulnerable vehicles.

Foehn effect: why air descends warmer and drier beyond mountains

How the foehn effect transforms air crossing a mountain range, the signs that reveal it, and the hazards it can create on the leeward side.

Sea breeze and land breeze: why coastal winds change

A calm coast can turn breezy in the afternoon. Learn how sea and land breezes form, when they develop and which signs reveal an approaching wind shift.

Lenticular clouds: how they form and what they reveal about wind

Learn to recognise lenticular clouds, why they appear stationary above mountains and what they can — and cannot — reveal about the wind.

Wind shear: what it is and how it influences thunderstorms

Wind shear describes how wind changes between two points or heights. Learn its main types and its role in storm organisation.

Wind direction explained: compass points, arrows and degrees

A practical guide to reading wind direction in compass points, degrees and arrows without confusing origin with destination.

Beaufort scale explained: wind force in knots and km/h

See Beaufort forces 0 to 12 in knots and km/h, and learn how mean wind relates to effects on land and sea without confusing it with gusts.

Storm surge: how wind and pressure raise coastal sea level

How wind, low pressure, astronomical tide and waves combine to raise water levels at the coast.

Wind sea and swell: the difference and how to read coastal risk

Waves may be created by local wind or travel from a distant storm. Learn to separate both components and why calm air at the beach can be misleading.

Wave height, period and direction: how to read a forecast

Significant wave height is not the maximum wave. Learn to combine height, period, direction, wind sea, swell and coastal warnings.