Winter Wind Trends and the Status of House Windbreaks in the Northwestern Kanto Plain, Japan

ABSTRACT Windbreaks heve been utilised in rural areas worldwide as protection against strong winds. Research indicates that winds blowing orthogonally to windbreaks have the greatest effect. However, it has been reported that wind patterns have changed in many parts of the world and may continue to change in the future. In this context, it may be necessary to consider changes in the nature of winds blowing around windbreaks based on meteorological data. This study has two main objectives. Firstly, to ascertain whether there have been changes in the frequency and predominant wind direction on days with strong winds. Secondly, to assess how the effectiveness of windbreaks has changed in response to long‐term wind changes. The study area was chosen in a region where windbreaks have historically been established to shield homes from strong winds, but some owners have had their trees cut down. Thus, not only winds but the condition of windbreaks is also changing. Regarding the first objective, the findings suggested a change in the wind direction. However, no change in wind speed was observed that could be attributed to climate change. Regarding the second objective, a situation was identified where wind blew into an area normally protected by windbreaks when strong winds blew from a direction assumed to be “the new” wind direction.