Wind stilling over the continents of the Northern hemisphere in the last 30 years

However, after a detailed and thorough statistical analysis of the inconsistencies of wind measurements taken at 5412 stations resulting in the rejection of 85% of them, an analysis of the remaining data revealed a major trend: over most land surfaces of the Northern hemisphere mid latitudes, winds have decreased (see figure below). The study was carried out jointly by the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l\\u2019Environnement (LSCE) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It also shows that over Asia, moderate to strong winds have decreased most rapidly.

This study also attempts an explanation of the reasons for this decrease. Using a variety of data (datasets from reanalyses carried out by ECMWF or other smaller scale simulations, satellite and radiosonde observations), the authors show that this decrease in surface wind speed can be largely explained by an increase in vegetation and, to a smaller extent, by changes in the general atmospheric circulation over the past few decades.

The study does not allow direct conclusions about the possible consequences of such a decrease on the potential of wind power, because wind energy is generated at a higher level (50m \\u2013 100m) than the level at which the wind measurements are taken. This issue is currently being examined.

Reference: Vautard, R., Cattiaux, J., Yiou, P., Thépaut, J.-N. & Ciais, P. Nature Geosci. advance online publication doi:10.1038/NGEO979 (2010)