URBAN WIND DYNAMICS IN BERGEN – Wind speed variation across coastal, tunnel and sheltered environments

This study examines variations in wind speed and direction across different urban environments in Bergen, focusing on how the city’s structure influences local wind patterns. Data were collected through short-term field measurements at 28 locations in March 2025 and grouped into three categories: coastal, wind tunnel, and urban sheltered. To account for atmospheric variability, all measurements were compared to hourly reference data from the Bergen-Florida weather station, and relative wind speeds were calculated. The results show that coastal and wind tunnel locations experienced higher relative wind speeds than urban sheltered areas. A t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between coastal and urban sheltered environments. These findings support the hypothesis that exposure and channeling effects increase wind speed in certain environments. The study highlights the importance of localized wind assessments in identifying sites with potential for smallscale wind energy in urban areas.