Types of Modern

Cup Anemometers
They contain 2-4 curved cups attached to a rotating shaft. As wind blows against the cups, they spin and the number of revolutions over a set period of time is used to calculate wind speed. These are simple, inexpensive designs suitable for general meteorological use.

Propeller Anemometers
Similar to cup but use propeller blades instead of cups. They tend to be more durable for use in rugged conditions but may be less accurate at lower speeds compared to cup designs.

Ultrasonic Anemometers
They operate without moving parts by measuring the time it takes for ultrasonic pulses to travel between transducers in different directions. Anemometer provide 3D wind vector data and are well-suited for turbulence measurements but are more expensive than rotation-based designs.

Pressure Tube Anemometers
Pressure tubes contain an array of narrow parallel pressure ports. Changing wind pressure causes the tubes to vibrate and the vibration frequency corresponds to wind speed. Pressure tube offer high accuracy even at low speeds but are more complex than rotation-based models.

Wind Vanes
Wind vanes simply rotate to point directly into the wind. While not measuring speed directly, they are useful when paired with another for indicating wind direction.

Hot-Wire and Hot-Film
These contain extremely thin platinum or tungsten wires or film resistors that are heated by an electric current. Wind blowing across the sensor cools it proportionally to speed. Hot-wire types are highly accurate but fragile while hot-film variants are more robust.

Uses

Meteorological Data Collection
They are standard equipment at weather stations and airports where accurate real-time wind speed and direction data is essential for forecasting. They help meteorologists monitor weather patterns and warn of high winds.

Aviation Safety
Aircraft rely on its measurements to determine take-off and landing safety. Gusty crosswinds pose risks so runways may close if winds exceed limits. They  along flight paths monitor for turbulence.

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