Definition
The compass direction from which the wind is blowing, expressed in degrees relative to true north in written reports and forecasts, and relative to magnetic north in spoken transmissions from control towers and ATIS broadcasts.
Plain English
Where the wind is coming from, given as a compass heading. A wind from 270 degrees is blowing from the west toward the east.
Context Anchor
You see wind direction in weather reports, tower wind calls, runway selection, takeoffs, landings, and drift correction while flying a ground track.
Derivation
Direction comes from Latin words meaning to set straight or point. That helps here because wind direction is the direction label assigned to the wind’s source: the place the wind is coming from.
Why Pilots Care
Wind direction determines the amount and direction of drift, requiring a heading adjustment so the airplane follows the intended path over the ground.
Analogy
A wind vane points into the wind. If it points north, the wind is coming from the north, so the wind direction is north.
Grounding Statement
If smoke is moving toward the east, the wind is coming from the west, so the wind direction is west.
Intuition Check
Do not read wind direction as the direction the wind is traveling toward. In aviation, wind direction means the direction the wind is coming from.
Example Sentence 1
ATIS reported wind direction 240 at 12 knots, so the pilot selected runway 24 for takeoff.
Example Sentence 2
With a wind direction of 270°, the airplane required a right heading correction to stay aligned with the runway centerline.