A Pilot approaching CDW reported that the wind gauge equipment was down for maintenance and Tower reported inaccurate winds causing an approach with tailwinds. The Reporter executed a go-around and landed on the opposing runway with a headwind.

Narrative

Eight miles Northeast of the field; I called the CDW Tower for landing; having been handed off from New York Approach. I was advised to report a 3 mile final for Runway 22. I requested a wind check. The report from the Tower was 'Zero Seven Zero at ...; Gusting 14'. I don't recall the exact wind (I believe it was 9 MPH). I then requested Runway 4; and was told to report left downwind Runway 4. I then requested a right downwind since I was coming from the East/Northeast. The Tower approved my request. On final approach; the airplane did not 'settle' correctly and was very 'squirrelly' on short final. I noted that even though my airspeed was 70 KTS; the ground was moving way quicker than it should have been for the given winds from ATC. I executed a go-around with no incident. Upon climb out; I asked again what the winds were - and again; ATC reported them from a 070 heading gusting 14 KTS. At this point; a pilot on the ground radioed the tower and said that the windsock was definitely from the West. At that point; the Tower explained that the wind gauge equipment was up for maintenance the day before and that there was some sort of problem. At this point; I requested Runway 28 and the tower said that Runway 28 was closed; but asked if I would take 22. I tear-dropped my approach; came back to land on 22. I was cleared to land 22. The approach was stabilized and 'solid' with the airspeed and ground speed making sense. I landed without incident. From my experience it seemed that the wind reading was the reciprocal of what was the actual wind. A special thanks to the pilot on the field who had the windsock and decided to report in.