BE AWARE:
When you enter wind directions above ground level into the weather Settings of the Flight Configuration of the X-Plane setup routine, it is always entered as a TRUE direction (with Respect to TRUE North):
But when you enter wind directions at ground level, it is always entered as a MAGNETIC direction (with Respect to TRUE North):
This is not X-Plane being inconsistent. instead X-plane follows the useful old adage that “If you read it, it must be true. If you hear it, it’s magnetic.”
Wind directions on a map or in a METAR are with reference to TRUE North.
But wind directions given by ATIS are with reference to the MAGNETIC North Pole.
Wind Direction Jargon
Did you know that the wind direction is quoted as the direction from whence it comes. In other words:
- If a wind is blowing from due East to due West (right to left if you are facing North), the wind direction is 90°.
- If the wind is called a SouthEaster it means it is coming from the South-East and has a direction of 135°
- If the wind blows from South to North, it is a 180° wind.
It is important to realize this when entering a custom wind direction into the X-Plane Weather Customization window.