What is the Difference Between Wind Speed and Wind Gust?

The main difference between wind speed and wind gust is duration. Wind speed is the average wind speed over a specific period, while wind gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed. Here are the key distinctions:

• Sustained Wind: This is the average wind speed over a period of two minutes or more. It represents the continuous flow of air and can last several minutes.
• Wind Gust: A wind gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed that typically lasts under 20 seconds. It is characterized by big changes in wind speed that occur instantaneously and cover a short period of time, from a few seconds to perhaps 30 seconds.

Anemometers are used to measure wind speed, and these measurements are averaged over a specific period to determine the sustained wind speed. Wind gusts, on the other hand, are reported when the peak wind speed reaches at least 16 knots, and the variation in wind speed must be at least 9 knots. In summary, sustained wind represents the average wind speed over a specific period, while wind gust refers to a sudden, brief increase in wind speed that lasts for a very short duration.

Comparative Table: Wind Speed vs Wind Gust

The difference between wind speed and wind gust can be summarized in the following table:

Wind speed is the average wind speed over two minutes, while wind gusts are sudden bursts in wind speed that typically last under 20 seconds. Both wind speed and wind gust can cause damage, but the difference lies in their duration and the force they exert on objects.