How is the wind direction commonly expressed?

Wind direction is commonly expressed in degrees from true north. This system allows for precise navigation, as directions can be measured on a 360-degree compass, with 0 degrees representing true north, 90 degrees representing east, 180 degrees representing south, and 270 degrees representing west.

When pilots and meteorologists refer to wind direction, they are indicating the direction from which the wind is coming, expressed in degrees. For instance, a wind coming from the northeast would be referred to as 45 degrees, while a wind from the south would be 180 degrees. Using degrees from true north ensures uniformity and accuracy in various navigational and meteorological contexts.

Other measures related to wind, such as speed and humidity, while important in weather observation and reporting, do not represent wind direction. Speed might be measured in knots or miles per hour, but that does not affect how the direction is commonly expressed in meteorological terms.