How is wind direction reported in aviation?

In aviation, wind direction is reported in degrees relative to true north. This means that the wind direction is measured in degrees from 0 to 360, where 0 degrees represents true north, 90 degrees represents east, 180 degrees represents south, and 270 degrees represents west. This standardization allows pilots and air traffic control to communicate effectively about wind conditions, which are crucial for takeoff, landing, and route planning. By using true north as a reference, it provides a consistent frame of reference that is universally understood in aviation.

While wind speeds may be reported in knots, meters per second, or miles per hour, those measurements pertain to the velocity of the wind rather than its direction. Therefore, the use of degrees relative to true north is the correct method for reporting wind direction in aviation.