Definition
A wind barb is a symbol plotted on a weather chart that shows wind direction and speed at a specific location. The shaft of the barb points in the direction the wind is coming from, and short lines (called barbs or feathers) and pennants on the shaft indicate wind speed: a half barb represents 5 knots, a full barb represents 10 knots, and a solid triangular pennant represents 50 knots. The barbs are added together to give the total wind speed.
Plain English
A small symbol on a weather chart that shows which way the wind is blowing and how strong it is. A line points toward where the wind is coming from, and the little marks on that line tell you the wind speed.
Context Anchor
Seen on surface analysis charts and other weather charts near a weather reporting location.
Derivation
The word 'barb' originally meant a sharp point or pointed projection (from Latin 'barba,' meaning beard). On a weather chart, the small lines projecting from the wind shaft resemble the barbs on an arrow or a feather, which is why this symbol is called a wind barb.
Why Pilots Care
Quickly shows surface wind conditions critical for takeoff, landing, and low-level flight planning.
Intuition Check
Do not read the line as showing where the wind is going. A wind barb points toward the direction the wind is coming from.
Example Sentence 1
Looking at the surface analysis chart, the pilot saw a wind barb with one full line and one half line, indicating a 15-knot wind from the west.
Example Sentence 2
Before departure the pilot checked the wind barb at the departure airport to confirm the crosswind component.