1. A pattern recognition method for measuring crosswind parameters comprising the steps of: a. generating a spectral profile signal of an optical radiation beam passing through a plurality of crosswinds having known parameters; b. dividing said spectral profile signals for each known crosswind into selected frequency components; c. averaging said frequency components over a selected period of time; d. digitizing said selected and averaged frequency components; e. classifying the digitized frequency components in accordance with crosswind parameters of interest; f. storing said classified frequency components as digital retrievable data in a memory; g. generating a test spectral profile signal of said optical beam passing through crosswind of unknown parameters; h. performing steps (b) to (f) on said test signal; and i. matching the test signal parameter data with the closest known parameter data to determine a best estimate of the parameters of the unknown crosswind.