Wind Rose
F5. The Reference Layer: Glossary, Units, Signals and Information SourcesDefinition
Compass-rose diagram of wind direction frequencies.
A wind rose is a polar diagram showing the frequency and strength of wind from each compass direction at a place over a period, the petals’ length giving frequency and the color bands giving speed. Pilot charts carry monthly wind roses for each ocean square, summarizing prevailing winds, calms, and gale frequency for passage planning. The compass rose on a navigational chart is a different object: it gives true and magnetic bearing references, not climatology.