What is a common factor affecting mortar accuracy?

Wind speed and direction significantly influence mortar accuracy because they can alter the trajectory of the mortar round after it is fired. Mortars rely on a ballistic trajectory to hit their target, and any variation in the environmental conditions, especially wind, can cause the round to drift off target. The dynamics of how wind affects trajectory are essential for gunners to consider; even minor gusts can lead to substantial deviations at longer ranges.

While cost of ammunition, size of the mortar, and time of day can be relevant to overall operational planning or logistics, they do not directly impact the physics of a mortar's flight path. The accuracy of fire largely depends on the interplay between the launch parameters and the environmental conditions, underscoring the importance of understanding factors like wind when engaging targets.