How is variable wind direction characterized?

Variable wind direction is characterized primarily by wind direction variability criteria. This concept involves assessing how much the wind direction changes over a certain period. When the wind direction is classified as variable, it signifies that the direction shifts frequently and is not consistent, implying a lack of a dominant wind direction over time.

This assessment often includes specific thresholds, such as defining variable winds based on how often or how much the wind direction deviates from a particular mean value. Characteristics such as wind speeds, humidity, or temperature can affect wind patterns, but they do not fundamentally describe the variability of wind direction itself. Instead, the focus is on measuring and defining the nature of the fluctuations in direction, which aligns precisely with the criteria for determining if the wind can be considered variable.