SkyDemon Forums

Quality of winds aloft

http://forums.skydemon.aero/Topic9578.aspx

By pschartau - 6/10/2013 12:20:30 PM

I am currently doing my IMC rating, so a lot of time spent working out drift corrected headings etc. Over the last few weeks, I have found the Metoffice forecast wind charts (Form F214) to be significantly more accurate than the winds aloft shown in Skydemon (where I would normally set a precise take-off time). What is the souce for winds aloft in Skydemon?
By lhe - 2/28/2014 12:00:11 PM

Winds are (generally) stronger at higher altitudes.
Indeed.

The winds given by Skydemon seem quite reasonable given the TAF. Above the friction layer over land you would expect the wind direction to be roughly 30 degrees higher and the velocity three times higher compared to the surface wind. At 2400 feet you would probably (depending on the weather situation) be above the friction layer. The difference would be less in gusty conditions.

Given the Skydemon wind figure, the surface wind should be about 143/07 which agrees nicely with both the TAF (150/09) and METAR (150/08).

Know your MET!