VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK • Port Alberni wind forecast
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Port Alberni wind forecast

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:47 am
by windsurf247
So now that the summer thermals are here, I thought I'd share the surface temperature map I've been using to forecast the winds in PA. It takes some trial and error to figure out the patterns that work but with a group of users contributing, we should be able to get it dialed :D

Here's what I've found so far: Hot in PA and cool on the coast doesn't necessarily mean wind. It's a long inlet and the wind can get channeled up other hot valleys along the way.

The kicker seems to be the cool air moving right up the inlet. It doesn't need to be scorching in PA either. It'll still go off with just a slight temp difference. If it's hot in PA though and cool up the inlet, it'll really nuke 8)

Using the map: when the map loads, it'll cycle through a few days. I find it easier to stop it and just forward it frame by frame. Look at the daytime forecasts to see what the trend is. The tip of the inlet will usually have a warm/hot spot around it. Look for other "hot spots" in the area that may compete and also how far the cool air comes in.

If the PA hot spot stretches down the inlet, it'll likely be outflow.

Check it out and post any other observations you have. I just have to look out my window to see the wind but it'd be great for out of towners to be able to predict it with a certain degree of accuracy.

Good luck..

http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/ ... _tsfc+///3

PA wind forecast

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:49 am
by windsurf247
PS...the map yesterday looked very similar to the map for the next three days 8) :twisted:

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:55 am
by juandesooka
That seems complicated. Better I just text you every hour for a report. :wink:

(kidding...thanks for posting....I find it interesting to try and predict wind...seems like a great mystery, but the patterns are there, just need to know what to look for)

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:51 am
by winddoctor
Thanks, Rob! I'm hoping to share a session with you guys Fri or Sat! Been skunked on previous attempts :evil:

Bump

Posted: Sun May 17, 2015 8:48 am
by windsurf247
Thought I'd resurrect this thread with the windy season approaching and the spotlight on PA again 8)

Posted: Sun May 17, 2015 11:22 am
by G-Daddy
Very cool. Just scrolled through and it looks pretty easy to use. Worth adding to the forecasting links?

ZOOOM

Posted: Sun May 17, 2015 11:44 am
by windsurf247
FYI....this map is way easier to look at if you zoom right in on PA.