Anemometer
An anemometer is an instrument that is used to measure wind speed, they can also be used to measure wind pressure, wind flow and wind direction. They are a common component part of weather stations and sometimes seen on rooftops or high buildings.
The simplest type of anemometer has a spinning wheel, which spins faster as the wind blows stronger the number and speed of rotations, is used to calculate wind speed. There are however many different types of anemometer which include the afore mentioned cup anemometers, vane anemometers, hot-wire anemometers, ping-pong ball anemometers as well as laser doppler, ultrasonic and acoustic resonance anemometers.
The term anemometer is taken from Greek; anemos for wind, and is used to define any wind-speed device, originally called an anemoscope. Leon Battista Alberti (1404 - 1472) from Genoa, Italy, is generally credited with having invented the pressure plate anemometer for measuring wind speed in 1450. Though Leonardo da Vinci further developed the device to support his passion for flying, giving an indication also of wind direction.
See also:
- Air capture hood.
- Pilot tube.
- Rotating vane anemometer.
- Differential pressure anemometer.
- Powered flow hood.
- Thermal anemometer.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Weather.
- Adverse weather.
- Balometer.
- Barometer.
- Climate.
- Cold stress.
- Drought.
- Exceptionally adverse weather.
- Excess cold.
- Extraordinary weather event.
- Extreme weather.
- Extreme weather event.
- Fire weather.
- Flood.
- Heat wave.
- Hurricane.
- Monsoon.
- Overheating.
- Solar radiation.
- Rainfall.
- Thermal comfort.
- Tropical cyclone.
- Wind.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.