Wind is air in motion. There are three major groups of winds -- local and regional winds, global winds, and episodic winds  (cyclones, anticyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes). Wind is caused by uneven atmospheric temperatures which give rise to differences in pressure. In early spring, extremes of temperature exist between the equator and the polar regions. Wind is formed when these imbalances attempt to even themselves out. This phenomenom produces the March winds cherished by kite lovers.

Avid fliers know, however, that any time of year is appropriate for kite flying. Host people believe that a very strong wind is needed for flight. The best flying,' however, is done in winds ranging from four to twenty miles per hour (mph).

In the 19th century, Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy created a wind scale to assist sailors at sea. This scale has been modified for landsmen, particularly kite fliers.

 

SCALE	WIND SPEED (MPH)	Description of Land-Wind Effect	Types of KITES to FLY
0	under 1	calm, smoke rises vertically
1	1-3	some air movement; smoke drifts	paper
2	4-7	slight breeze; wind felt on face; tree leaves rustle	light paper, plastic
3	8-12	gentle breezes; leaves dance; flags fly	plastic
4	13-18	moderate breeze; branches move;dust and loose paper fly	plastic, light cloth
5	19-24	fresh breeze; small trees sway	cloth
6	25-31	strong breeze; large branches move; telephone wires whistle	large cloth

 
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