"Saw how wind blows" is a commonly used phrase to describe an individual's understanding of a situation or how things are likely to progress. There are a variety of synonyms that can be used in place of this phrase, including "anticipated the outcome," "predicted the direction," "perceived the path," and "recognized the signs." Each of these alternative phrasings conveys a slightly different nuance, but all communicate the central idea of having insight into the way things are headed. So no matter which synonym one chooses to replace "saw how wind blows," the message remains clear and coherent.