How are winds named?

• A. By their speed
• B. According to the direction from which they blew
• C. By the region they occur
• D. By their color

Answer: (B)

Winds are named by the direction from which they blow. This convention helps describe the air’s origin and its potential impact on temperature and weather. For example, a wind blowing from the north is called a north wind because it comes from that direction and moves toward the south.

Speed tells you how strong the wind is, not what it’s called. The wind’s region or color aren’t the naming basis either, though some local winds have special regional names. The general rule people use in weather and navigation is the direction the wind comes from, so naming by direction is the best choice.