A noticed a new feature on the iKitesurf app. Some weather regions (the Columbia Gorge in this case) have a new 'Windbow' representation (below). Pretty neat representation of forecast models.
Not certain what units are on the Y-axis. Perhaps it's a scaled relative unit??
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I've got a buddy who's been using windbow (free) and nothing else for years to plan his sessions. Here's the description from the ikite page:
"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 above "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)."
