Which of the following best describes wind blowing 45 miles per hour from west to east? A
An easterly breeze

B
A westerly breeze

C
An easterly gale

D
A westerly gale

D

Explanation:

Wind can be described by its direction and speed. Wind direction is described using the direction from which it is blowing. Westerly winds move from west to east, while easterly winds move from east to west. Wind speed can be described using measurements like miles per hour or levels on a scale called the Beaufort scale. The Beaufort scale divides wind speeds into categories and uses specific words for different strengths of wind. A “breeze” is a light wind, while a “gale” is stronger. On the Beaufort Scale, the strongest breeze is 31 miles per hour; any wind over 32 miles per hour is considered a gale.