What are your favorite wind forecasting resources?

Jasonius · Since 31 May 2013 15 Posts

I am curious to learn what wind forecasting resources you rely on. I am
Portland-based, I need 411 on Floras, Manzanita, Sunset, Jones, Sauvies, and the Gorge.

Anyone unhappy with iKitesurf?

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

the link at the top of the page that says 'forecast' has a pretty good list of stuff. I primarily use the ikite and gorgeismygym forecasts. I think your happiness or lack thereof with ikite will likely depend on where you ride. I think that ikite is overpriced, but i definitely like it.

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

I like WindAlert (a WeatherFlow product) because of the UI and iPhone/iPad apps. Yes, the premium sensors are very expensive.

Others include:
http://thegorgeismygym.com/forecast
For Jones: http://www.nwweather.com/JonesFcst.php &
http://nwwind.net/wind.php?region=9&sdate=2013-07-16

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

I like the Gorge Windbow model on iwindsurf/ikitesurf

http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=216&Isection=Windbow&short=0

It is free and seems to be as accurate as anything, plus it is available year-round.

It paints a pretty picture for wind in the Gorge for the next few days.

Big bumps in the graph indicate a Westerly gradient/wind, big dips show East winds.
It usually does a good job of showing the timing of the wind and the trends up or down in strength, but I generally ignore the colors and just use the real time wind speeds from iw/ik sensors to see where the wind is best that day.

frmercado · Since 16 Feb 2011 34 Posts PDX

I like www.30knotwind.com

God info and forecasts for everywhere except Sauvie.

SimPistol · Since 13 Jan 2011 52 Posts Gold Beach/Pistol River

I kite primarily on the South Coast and have no clue what works well for the Gorge. For coastal conditions I like to cross-reference multiple sources. Usually I use NOAA and iKitesurf.com for a quick reference as well as the mm5 forecast, which is bad ass if you like to get all scientific:http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?mm5d1_wssfc+//84/3

Any time I have a superior session I like to save the data from local weather stations using windonthewater.com. This way I can look at the readouts from multiple stations during past primo sessions and see how they line up with current conditions. Sometimes I stare out my window at the airport windsock in Gold Beach and it speaks to me through some sort of undulating neon caterpillar dance.

There are some other ways to know if it will be good. Are any of your kiter buddies out of town? If so - There will be good wind.

Do you have a ton of shit to get done that day? If so - There will be good wind.

Is your wife currently disgusted with you? If so - There will be good wind.

Is it your children's birthday? If so - There will be good wind.

Did an Osprey catch a lamprey while a whale spouted and the buoy horn blasted, all simultaneously? If so - Drink a pint of puppy blood...and the wind will be good.

I hope this helps.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

like like like!!

Jasonius · Since 31 May 2013 15 Posts

I subscribed to ikitesurf, it saved me a skunking.

Thanks for the responses.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

People talk about the expense of iKite - but living in Wilsonville - most spots are over an hour drive for me. Driving an SUV that gets 17mpg and only takes premium gas - a couple saved skunkings = almost a whole year subscription. Plus my free time is just way too valuable to be wasted.