Surface Gustiness and Wind Speed Range as a Function of Time Interval and Mean Wind Speed

Abstract

Approximately 100 hours of wind records with mean speeds of 20 to 100 kt (at 12 m) were obtained from the Mt. Washington Observatory. Analyses of these data indicate that the gust factor can be used to describe the relationship between mean wind speed and wind speed range for a specific interval of time. Pooled data recorded at 14 airfields in the Northern Hemisphere were used to develop 50-, 75-, 90-, and 98-percentile gust factor curves for 5 min, 1 min, and 30 s average wind speeds. Also presented are nomograms of the 50-, 75-, 90-, and 98-percentile wind speed ranges for mean speeds of 20 to 100 kt. The results are considered applicable to most airport locations at a height of approximately 15 m above the runway.