What is an anemometer and what does it measure?

Almost everyone has heard of an anemometer. The device is actively used at meteorological stations and is indispensable for measuring the velocity of gases in various industrial systems, such as ventilation systems.

But if the essence of his "relative" - ​​a weather vane - is known to many, then the principle of operation and the purpose of the anemometer sometimes raises many questions. What is this device? What does it measure and how does it function? Let's try to figure it out.

What does the word "anemometer" mean?

Anemometer has a different name "wind meter" and comes from two Greek words - ἄνεμος (wind) and μετρέω (to measure). In simple terms, it is a device that measures. The creator of the anemometer is considered to be the Italian mathematician Leon Battista Alberti.

The device, invented by him around 1540, has not changed much since that time. In the following centuries, many scientists, including Robert Hooke, tried to develop their own versions of the device, and some of them were mistakenly credited with the glory of the inventor.


In 1846, Irish astronomer John Robinson greatly improved the design of the anemometer with four hemispherical cups and mechanical wheels. The device acquired some new functions at the end of the 20th century. Thanks to Derek Weston, it got the ability to determine the direction of the wind, and Dr. Andrews Flitz developed a sonic anemometer.

What is an anemometer?

In the modern sense, an anemometer is understood as a device that allows you to measure the speed of wind or the movement of gases. Its scope covers any place where there is a need to determine the rate of movement of air flows. In addition to meteorological stations, the device is used at airfields, helipads, flying clubs and organizations that provide the opportunity to fly on hang gliders.


An anemometer is useful on rescue towers and sailing ships, for which a strong wind of 7 points is already a great danger.

What does an anemometer measure?

As mentioned above, the anemometer measures the speed of air flow, however, depending on the model, the devices can also perform a number of other functions - determine the direction of the wind, calculate atmospheric pressure, temperature, volume flow and air humidity.

In fact, such a device becomes a portable meteorological station, convenient to use and transport. During measurements, it reads the necessary information, analyzes and displays the obtained values ​​on the display.

What are anemometers?

Depending on the design and principle of operation, anemometers are divided into mechanical and electronic. The first include cup and vane devices. The cup anemometer is the most widely used and is a rotor on which hemispherical cups are symmetrically mounted.

Under the action of the wind, the rotor rotates on a vertical axis, and a mechanical counter records the number of revolutions of the cups in a certain time. A miniature wind wheel is installed in the vane anemometer, the rotation of which is transmitted to the arrow of a mechanical counter. It is used mainly in pipelines and ventilation systems to calculate air flow.


A thermal anemometer is an electronic device and operates by means of an electronic circuit, which includes a temperature sensor wire. The essence of the operation of the device is to heat the filament with the subsequent measurement of its resistance, depending on the ambient temperature.

More perfect is another electronic device - an ultrasonic anemometer. It measures the speed of air currents based on measurements of the speed of sounds that change according to the direction of the wind. Some of its models combine the functions and.