Vindkartor

Vindkartor are graphical representations of wind patterns across a geographic area, used to visualize wind speed and direction for weather forecasting, navigation, energy planning, and climate studies. They synthesize observations and model output into a human-readable form, often accompanying weather forecasts or climatologies.

There are several form variants. Surface wind maps show near-surface wind fields, while upper‑air charts depict winds at higher altitudes. Wind roses summarize the distribution of wind direction and speed at a fixed location over a period. In many maps, wind direction and speed are indicated with arrows or color shading, and the data are labeled with units such as meters per second or knots.

Data sources and interpretation play a central role. Vindkartor derive from meteorological stations, ships, buoys, radar, satellites, and numerical weather prediction models, sometimes complemented by reanalysis datasets. They include time stamps and forecast horizons, and their spatial resolution and accuracy depend on the underlying data and methods. Users should be aware of uncertainties and temporal variability, especially for short-term planning.

Applications of vindkartor are diverse. They support aviation and maritime operations by illustrating prevailing winds and gust potential, assist in wind energy site assessment and resource estimation, and contribute to climate research and education. They are commonly produced by national meteorological services and research institutions and are publicly accessible in many regions, including Sweden, where institutions like SMHI publish wind maps for public use.