# Plotting the wind direction in 3D?

How can I plot the wind direction in 3D, using the 3 wind vectors u, v and w? Normally, I create 2D wind rose plots in the traditional way, using R or MATLAB.

Which ways do you know for plotting this in 3D, using the additional w vector?
Do you have code examples or tips for packages?

• This is an excellent question. I don't know of any source that records "updrafts" and "downdrafts", but it would be great to find one. – user967 Jan 21 '16 at 17:16
• A relevant observation is that with the exception of thunderclouds, winds are almost exclusively horizontal. This is certainly entirely true for anything close to the ground. In those cases, you may simply not have to worry about the vertical component. – Wolfgang Bangerth Jan 25 '16 at 1:19
• In polar and/or alpine environments, there are some local wind systems with important vertical components, such as the katabatic winds in the Antarctic. – Arne Jan 30 '16 at 0:37
• it's really depend of OP's context: subsidience, thermals / thunderstorm / tropical storms, frontology, orography, all needs the vertical component :-) – Fabrice NEYRET Feb 21 '16 at 1:26
• How about a vector field plot? stackoverflow.com/questions/7130474/… – Michael Wallace Jul 12 '16 at 16:24