It’s a good idea to consider the direction of the prevailing wind when you are seriously considering a particular cottage on a lake. A wind direction is the direction from which the wind comes. For example, a northwest wind is a gust of wind blowing from the northwest towards the southeast. Upwind is the direction from which the wind is coming. If the wind is blowing from the northwest (and blowing towards the southeast), the upwind direction is towards the northwest. The downwind direction is towards the southeast. If a person is moving upwind, they are moving against the wind. And if a person is moving downwind, they are moving with the wind.

Meteorologists refer to the entrance sector as the “upstream sector” and the exit sector as the “downstream sector.” If the shoreline of the cottage property you are considering is downwind of the prevailing wind – or in the downstream sector– there may be some consequences you didn’t anticipate. After all, your shoreline may serve as a dumping ground for all kinds of things that make their way into the lake – from algae and driftwood to plastic containers, and other man-made items. Wind also carries sound, a factor you can easily overlook. Perhaps you are smitten with a recreational property. You have visited the property on a Tuesday afternoon or a weekend in the autumn. It seems quiet, but you are unaware of the children’s overnight sports camp at the other end of the lake. When camp activities are in full swing, the prevailing north-easterly wind blows the sounds of music, whistles, and rowdy campers in your direction. When the wind dissipates, calm conditions facilitate the travel of sound across the water with exceptional clarity.

"In general, the larger the lake, the stronger the wind," says Gail McCormack, broker and owner of Kawartha Waterfront Realty. "Western exposure is the most sought-after exposure, but it can be windy," says McCormack. Buyers want a western exposure to ensure the sunset in the summer.

"Nonetheless, in some instances, cottages that are downwind of the prevailing westerly wind sometimes have concrete retaining walls – as a strong wind can be problematic." Although the direction of the prevailing wind may not sway your mind when it comes to buying a cottage, it’s better to know about its consequences before you make a commitment.

Photo courtesy of tuchodi No Alterations Made - Creative Commons