authority: gcos
slug: surface-wind-speed-and-direction
name: Surface Wind Speed and Direction
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: surface
authority_id: gcos:surface-wind-speed-and-direction
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: wind_speed
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: velocity
    entity: wind
canonical_units: m s-1
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Horizontal wind speed and direction near the Earth's surface, typically at
  10 m over land and ocean. Drives surface fluxes, wave generation, and
  pollutant transport, and is critical for wind energy resource assessment.
theme: weather
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/surface-wind