What is the wind speed reading at a 45-degree windsock position?

When assessing the wind speed using a windsock positioned at 45 degrees, it indicates that the wind is not at a calm state, but also not at its maximum speed. Generally, a windsock will display a wider angle depending on the wind speed: a fully extended position at 90 degrees suggests strong winds, while a drooping position may indicate lighter winds.

In this case, a windsock that is at a 45-degree angle typically corresponds to a moderate wind speed. The choice of 15 knots represents a common benchmark for a windsock in this position, indicating a wind that is strong enough to fill the sock but not so powerful that it is fully extended.

This understanding aligns with the general guidelines of windsock readings, where different angles correlate with varying wind speeds. Therefore, when a windsock shows a 45-degree position, it is reasonable to conclude that the wind speed is around 15 knots, as this speed maintains a balance between not being too light to cause the sock to droop and not being too strong to push it to a more vertical position.