Plain English Meaning

Where the wind is coming from, given as a compass heading. A wind from 270 degrees is blowing from the west toward the east.

Full 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.

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 . That helps here because wind direction is the direction label assigned to the wind’s : the place the wind is coming from.