Reading Wind: Speed

Wind Indicator The in-game wind display can be activated with the default key bind: Shift + K. The indicator will appear in the top left of the screen and display information for both wind direction and wind speed. In a similar fashion to a soldier experiencing wind without any devices to precisely measure velocity and bearing - this indicator does not provide precise values or directions, only estimations. With an understanding of the systems and methods in use to display these estimates, information precise enough for marksmanship may be gathered for use. Beaufort Scale The in-game wind indicator displays wind speed using wind “force” levels of the Beaufort scale. The force levels are represented with corresponding numbers of dots under the direction indicator, alongside color changes for each force level. The wind speeds corresponding to the Beaufort force levels (in meters per second) are detailed below: Quantity of dots Wind speed in meters per second Beaufort Description None 0 - 0.3 Calm 1 0.4 - 1.4 Light Air 2 1.5 - 3.2 Light Breeze 3 3.3 - 5.3 Gentle Breeze 4 5.5 - 7.9 Moderate Breeze 5 8.0 - 10.7 Fresh Breeze 6 10.8 - 13.3 Strong Breeze 7 13.4 - 16.5 Near Gale Inherent Error Measurements using the Beaufort scale come with a very relevant degree of error when applied to marksmanship. In the instance of two dots, or a Beaufort wind force of two, the difference between 1.5mps and 3.2mps can produce a miss by a wide margin at distance. This degree of uncertainty makes wind the largest challenge to accurately accommodate in manual marksmanship, and in many instances, will determine which shots can no longer be guaranteed. Although this inherent error cannot be mitigated without instruments capable of providing a precise reading, we may better understand where precisely the wind speed falls after observing the degree of shot deflection. Should a “discovery” shot not me permissible, such as in the case of an SF Sniper Team, hit probability may be increased with error-accommodating techniques such as Four Corners or engaging with multiple weapon systems.