wind radius

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wind radius" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in meteorological contexts to describe the distance from the center of a storm or weather system to the point where the wind reaches a certain speed. Example: "The hurricane's wind radius extended up to 50 miles from its eye, affecting coastal areas significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Coastal areas should expect to see waves as high as 5-8 meters (16-26ft) and a wind radius up to 500km wide, officials warned.

The Guardian

These include the maximum sustained wind, radius of maximum winds, the Holland-B parameter, the peripheral or far-field pressure, the surface roughness and coefficient of drag, and the central pressure for historical hurricanes in the Gulf.

Ocean Engineering

The ratio of the observed wind speed to the gradient wind speed was about 0.5 outside of the maximum wind radius, but it increased rapidly with the decrease of relative radius inside of it.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

In addition to wind data at six stations of the Japan Meteorological Agency, the wind ratio outside of the maximum wind radius increased with height in proportion to 0.33 power of the anemometer height.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

At the time, the storm's eye was 40 km wide, and the wind radius was about 175 km wide.

Wikipedia

Its asymmetric appearance improved and its wind radius expanded, but by that night Gustav had moved off the eddy of the loop current and over slightly cooler water.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The scale of damage caused by a disaster associated with TCs is measured by TC gale force wind radii as well as its frequency, intensity, and track.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

However, the outer wind radii subsided in the end, and the inner core prevailed.

Wikipedia

By August 18, the NHC noted that the hurricane was asymmetrical, having uneven distribution of the wind radii.

Wikipedia

The storm's wind radii increased in all quadrants as the storm grew in both intensity and size.

Wikipedia

Within a few days, as the hurricane tracked slightly further to the north and its wind radii expanded, a tropical storm warning was overlaid on the hurricane warning.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the size of a storm or typhoon, specify the "wind radius" alongside other key parameters like central pressure and maximum wind speed to provide a comprehensive understanding of its scale.

Common error

Avoid using "wind radius" interchangeably with wind speed. "Wind radius" refers to the spatial extent of the wind, while wind speed measures how fast the air is moving at a specific location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wind radius" primarily functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific meteorological measurement. It describes the distance from the center of a storm, cyclone, or weather system to a point where winds reach a certain threshold. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Wiki

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wind radius" is a crucial meteorological parameter used to define the spatial extent of wind activity, particularly in storms and cyclones. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the analysis reveals it's most commonly used in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts to convey the geographical impact of wind events. It's essential to differentiate it from wind speed, which measures the velocity of air movement. Related phrases, such as "extent of the wind field", offer alternative ways to express the same concept. When writing about storms, it's best practice to include the "wind radius" along with other key metrics for a comprehensive description. Avoiding confusion with wind speed is essential for clarity. As such the correct usage of "wind radius" contributes to a more informed understanding of weather-related phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extent of the wind field

Focuses on the area covered by wind, emphasizing the spatial distribution.

area affected by wind

Highlights the region impacted by wind forces or effects.

outer reach of the wind

Emphasizes the maximum distance to which the wind's influence extends.

wind's zone of influence

Describes the area within which the wind has a noticeable effect.

the sphere of wind impact

Illustrates the comprehensive area subject to wind-related consequences.

wind's effective range

Describes the distance over which the wind maintains a measurable force.

area of wind coverage

Highlights the total surface area over which the wind is present or active.

breadth of the wind's reach

Focuses on the lateral or horizontal extent of the wind's effect.

wind's spatial extent

Emphasizes the wind's distribution and presence in a given space.

geographic scope of the wind

Indicates the geographical area influenced by the wind.

FAQs

How is "wind radius" measured in a tropical cyclone?

The "wind radius" in a tropical cyclone is often measured as the distance from the center of the storm to a specific wind speed threshold, such as the radius of 34-knot winds (gale force) or the radius of maximum wind.

What does a large "wind radius" indicate about a storm?

A large "wind radius" suggests the storm's impact area is widespread, potentially affecting a larger geographical region with strong winds and associated hazards.

How does the "radius of maximum wind" relate to storm surge?

The "radius of maximum wind" (RMW) is often closely linked to the highest storm surge, as the strongest winds within a tropical cyclone are found at the RMW, driving water towards the coast.

What factors can affect the "wind radius" of a hurricane?

The "wind radius" can be influenced by factors such as the hurricane's intensity, its interaction with the surrounding environment (e.g., sea surface temperature), and its overall structure, including whether it's becoming more or less symmetrical.