Wind measurement - Miles of Wind?

Factual Questions
1

I was doing some research on mountaineering mishaps when the phrase “miles of wind” cropped up. I have never encountered this phrase before. This was in reference to an incident that occured nearly 70 years ago, so I do not know if the term is in current use. When meteorologists discuss wind speeds, they’re referring to instantaneous speeds - the equivalent of your car’s speedometer. Miles of wind seems to be analogous to a car’s odometer, measuring the number of turns of the anemometer over time as though it were a spinning whell. This sounds like a much more useful measurement than peak wind gust. From experience, I can tell you that a 50mph gust feels a lot like a 60 mph. It’s very difficult to tell the difference without instruments. Knowing that 500 more miles of wind are expected today than yesterday says that it will be a MUCH windier day. That’s information you can plan with.

Questions are as folows:

  1. Is my description of the “miles of wind” measurement accurate? If not, how?

  2. Do meteorologists still use the “miles of wind” measurement?

  3. IF so, why isn’t it included in a forecast? Or, in the day’s historical assessment of highs, lows, et cetera for a particular date? It appears than even weather buffs don’t get this information in the detailed online forecasts.

2

I believe miles of wind measurements are most relevant when discussing storms (or any “events”) over water.

‘Miles of wind’ is often a greater determining factor in figuring wave heights versus the simple wind speed measurement.

For example, in a N’orEaster (a non tropic ocean cyclone), the miles of wind measurement (which is usually larger than a hurricane’s) will help determine waves height (which is usually higher than a hurricanes).

Maybe it has less relevance over land, but I think ‘miles of wind’ as a measurement gets it’s fair share of attention when discussing meteorolgy over water.