sivutuulen

Sivutuulen is the genitive form of sivutuuli, a Finnish meteorological term that describes a crosswind or side wind. The word derives from sivu meaning side and tuuli meaning wind. In Finnish usage, sivutuuli refers to a wind that blows from the side relative to a specified direction, rather than directly from ahead or behind.

The crosswind is characterized by its speed and the angle between the wind direction and the travel or reference direction. Local conditions such as coastlines, terrain, and regional pressure patterns influence sivutuulen’s strength and position. In weather forecasts and maps, sivutuuli is described as a lateral wind component that can modify expected wind effects.

In practical terms, sivutuulen affects activities such as sailing and aviation. On boats and ships, a significant crosswind may cause leeway and require changes in sail trim or course to maintain intended velocity. In aviation, crosswinds present during takeoff and landing require specialized techniques to maintain control and alignment with the runway, including operations that compensate for lateral wind.

Regionally, the term is used by Finnish meteorologists and mariners, particularly in coastal and archipelago areas around Finland and the Baltic Sea, where interactions between sea and land breezes frequently produce crosswinds.

See also: sivutuuli, wind direction, meteorology.