Zonnewindtempo

Zonnewindtempo is a Dutch-language term used in meteorology and urban climate studies to describe the tempo, or pace, of diurnal wind changes driven by solar heating. It refers to how wind speed and direction evolve over a 24-hour cycle, shaped by surface heating, solar radiation, and local topography such as coastlines, land use, and urban structures. Rather than a single measurement, zonnewindtempo acts as an integrated descriptor of wind dynamics, combining the amplitude of wind-speed fluctuations, gust frequency, and the phase relationship between solar peaks and wind responses.

Origin and usage: The term is not part of standard meteorological nomenclature and appears mainly in Dutch-language discussions of urban climatology and climate adaptation. It is used as a conceptual framework to discuss how daily solar forcing translates into wind patterns in a given locale, helping practitioners compare different environments or scenarios.

Measurement and interpretation: Operationally, zonnewindtempo can be estimated from hourly wind data using time-series or spectral analysis to extract the dominant diurnal mode. A higher tempo indicates stronger or more rapid daily wind changes, which may arise from pronounced sea-breeze or land-breeze cycles, topographic amplification, or urban ventilation effects during specific hours.

Applications: In urban planning, building design, and wind-energy siting, zonnewindtempo helps quantify the daily rhythm of wind exposure and outdoor comfort, complementing metrics such as average wind speed and gustiness.

See also: diurnal wind pattern, land-sea breeze, sea-breeze intensity, urban canyon ventilation, solar radiation effects.