Last week, I noticed Wiarton (CYVV) reported a steady 12 or 15 kt wind for the entire day or close to it. Why would the observer enter in remarks Winds Gusty? It wasn't estimated, just gusty, steady 23015KT or 26012 KT for 12 straight hours.

jonathan_tcu wrote:Last week, I noticed Wiarton (CYVV) reported a steady 12 or 15 kt wind for the entire day or close to it. Why would the observer enter in remarks Winds Gusty? It wasn't estimated, just gusty, steady 23015KT or 26012 KT for 12 straight hours.

Estimated winds will be entered whenever the wind speed indicator or wind direction indicator is unservicable or appears to be wrong (due to ice accretion, or other factors). Estimated winds will use the Beaufort scale for speed, and 8 points of the compass, to the nearest 10 degrees for direction. Gusts are entered whenever the top speed over a two minute period exceeds the average wind speed for that period by 5 knots or more, and the top wind speed is at least 15 knots. Usually it'll be on the metar as 26012G18, with the top speed of the gusts being after the G, the average wind speed being before it. I don't know why "winds gusty" would be entered in remarks, as it should appear as a G in the wind group on the metar if winds are gusty.