Wind 260/45 Mag

[z1010]

Wind 260/45 Mag.

260 is the winddirection (I never know: comes the wind from direction 260 or does it go to direction 260);
45 is the speed, in knots I think.

But what does Mag mean - what is it? (no, couldn't find it in the learning centre).

Just curieus ...

[Gixer]

I always thought it meant magnitude.  The magnitude of somthing is its strength, so the higher the number the stronger the wind.

And yes I think the MAG is the winds speed in knots.

[JerryH]

How about MAGnetic heading?

JerryH

[z1010]

 But then, the Mag is related to 260 and not to the 45.

 And why should the winddirection be given in magnetic heading ...

But maybe you're right, I don't know.

[mgh]

The first number is the direction from which the wind is coming.  (North winds are cold - at least in the northern hemisphere!) The second is its strength.

The direction is  given as magnetic because before INS/GPS pilots relied on magnetic compasses for direction information so it was it was more convenient.

[wji]

It depends upon the source of the information. TAFs (Terminal Area Forecast) give wind direction as True while ATIS and all spoken ATC messages are given as Magnetic direction the wind is blowing from.
bill
p.s. velocity is alwyas in knots (kt)

[beefhole]

It's coming FROM 260.

[logjam]

Wind direction is always given as magnetic as is runway headings. If the wind speed/direction is 5 at 260 then the wind speed is 5kt from 260 magnetic. If the runway in use is close to 26, then you won't have much to worry about.

[Skligmund]

Wind 260/45 Mag

Winds 260 at 45

From 260

45 Knots

MAG = MAGNITUTE

[z1010]

My thanks to you all - I understand !

[logjam]

No such thing as magnitute(sic) in ATC unless of course you are from Timbuktoo or cockatoo or similar. The Met office refers to magnitude in the form of force, for example Gale force 8 or Hurricane force 10. This is solely for shipping information so that sailors and fishermen know when to duck for cover.

[wji]

That is correct
*** start **********
TAF means Terminal Aerodrome Forecast.
Winds
Wind is five digits. Wind direction relative to true north is first three digits. Next is wind speed in knots. 100kt+ winds have three digits. VRB will indicate variable headings or velocity. Calm is 0000KT. METAR winds are all 'true' except when a ASOS or AWOS voice report. TAF winds are 'true'. Even Center winds are 'true'.
reference cited:
******** end ******
What this means in realworld terms is:
1.) TAF wind is given True North direction From
2.) Wind velocity (not magnitude) is given as KT (not KTS)
3.) ATIS and any spoken transmission regarding wind directione is given in Magnetic HDG

hope this helps
bill
P.S.  see also:METARS
http://adds.aviationweather.gov/metars/

Sample TAF:
KSEA 141720Z 141818 03007KT P6SM SCT200
    FM0200 04005KT P6SM BKN200
    FM1200 04005KT P6SM SCT120 BKN200
    FM1700 04005KT P6SM BKN120 OVC200

Sample METAR:
KSEA 141756Z 02007KT 10SM FEW012 SCT150 OVC200 M01/M06 A3043 RMK AO2 SLP315 T10061056 11006 21028 50005

[commoner]

LOL...Yes WJI that REALLY helps........  ;D

[freightdog35]

The wind direction in TAFs, METARs, and Winds Aloft Reports are always given in relation to true north unless it is noted with "MAG" which means in relation to magntic north.  The following link is to an FAA Advisory Circular "Aviation Weather Services" and explains all types of weather reports.

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... enDocument

[commoner]

[quote]The wind direction in TAFs, METARs, and Winds Aloft Reports are always given in relation to true north unless it is noted with "MAG" which means in relation to magntic north.