Another great reason to subscribe to iKitesurf - Windbow

Onad · Since 04 Mar 2005 1435 Posts Coast<<PDX>>Gorge XTreme Poster

Excerpt from iKitesurf.com:

Computer forecast models generally can not resolve the topography of the Gorge and hence model predicted winds are often inaccurate. However, models can predict localized air pressure changes with a great deal of accuracy and it's these pressure differences (gradients) that drive the winds through the Gorge. The below "windbow" is a tool that our Meteorologists have developed to provide a powerful quick look of model predicted gradients.

- The cumulative height of the curve is the total pressure difference across the Gorge. The higher the curve, the stronger the wind.
- Each color of the graph is the gradient contribution between 2 locations. The thicker the color, the stronger the wind.
- Westerlies are indicated by a positive gradient (above x-axis), Easterlies indicated by a negative gradient (below x-axis).

Note: This product is still in the experimental stage. Over time we will learn to correlate exact gradient values to observed winds. Idea