Wind gusts are indicated by rapid fluctuations in wind speed with a variation of what or more between peaks and lulls?

Wind gusts are defined as quick, abrupt increases in wind speed that contrast with lower wind speed occurrences, or lulls. The threshold for identifying wind gusts is critical for aviation safety and weather reporting. A variation of 10 knots or more between the peaks and lulls represents this significant fluctuation in wind speed that characterizes gusts. This value is widely accepted in meteorological standards, making it essential for pilots and air traffic controllers to understand and anticipate variations in wind conditions during flight operations.

A threshold of 5 knots would not adequately account for the more impactful sudden surges in wind that could affect aircraft performance. Likewise, larger variations of 15 or 20 knots may not be necessary for identifying gusts in all reporting scenarios, as the 10-knot standard effectively captures most situations where wind conditions would pose a direct concern for aviation.