Definition
The direction from which the wind is blowing, expressed in degrees relative to magnetic north rather than true north. Used in ATIS broadcasts, tower transmissions, and other voice communications so that pilots can compare the reported wind directly to the magnetic compass and the magnetic runway numbers.
Plain English
The direction the wind is coming from, given in compass degrees that match what your magnetic compass and runway numbers show.
Context Anchor
You hear this in ATIS broadcasts, tower wind calls, and other local airport information before taxi, takeoff, approach, or landing.
Derivation
Magnetic' comes from the Latin magneticus, referring to the magnetic compass. The wind direction is referenced to the same magnetic north the compass points to, which is why the number on ATIS lines up with the runway number painted on the pavement.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to compute accurate crosswind and headwind components using magnetic runway headings without conversion.
Grounding Statement
If ATIS says the wind direction is 270, picture air coming from the 270-degree mark on the magnetic compass toward the airport.
Intuition Check
Do not read wind direction as where the wind is going. In aviation, wind direction means where the wind is coming from. Magnetic also does not mean map north; it means measured from magnetic north, the compass reference used locally for runways and aircraft headings.
Example Sentence 1
ATIS reported the wind as one eight zero at one five, so landing on Runway 18 would give an almost direct headwind.
Example Sentence 2
To determine the crosswind component on runway 09, the pilot used the wind direction magnetic from the current ATIS broadcast.