Wind speed

<math>|\mathbf{v}|=\sqrt{u^2+v^2+w^2}</math>,

where u, v, and w are zonal, meridional, and vertical components of wind velocity. In scientific literature, wind speed is given in the unit metres per second.

Other, empirical scales exist: The Beaufort scale is a common way to assess wind speed without an anemometer, and the Fujita scale allows classification of tornadoes in six categories.