Power Kite Forum

Average Wind Speeds USA

domdino - 18-6-2007 at 04:24 PM

In a search to find somewhere with steadily good winds I found this; thought it might be interesting to you folks :)

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgwind.html

MT. WASHINGTON, NH is bloody windy!!! Anyone live there?

I think a move to san fransisco in the next couple of years might be what i end up doing :) seems to have the best of all worlds - a good city with great public transport, ocean beach for landboarding, the bay for kite surfing ahhh... yeah sounds good :singing:

Pablo - 18-6-2007 at 05:19 PM

Mmmm, average wind speed for Squamish in the summer from about 11:00 on most days is 20-25knots. Winter, Green Lake 1/2 hr away, 10-15knots

Man I feel spoiled.:singing:

B-Roc - 19-6-2007 at 06:10 AM

I'm 3 hours away from Mt. Washington and was up there in Mid May. Great for alpine skiing but very poor for kite skiing (the topography causes rotors). IIRC some have kited in the upper snow fields but its not predictable and definately not a hot spot. Winds are so bad, people don't even hanglide or parasail up there.

The lakes in the valley are far more popular for kiting than the mountains.

lowerdfool - 19-6-2007 at 07:16 AM

While that is entertaining that doesn't show wind quality. Around here we have days where the winds will be blowing hard in the upper teens and twenties mph and the very next day or even the same day it will be 0-5mph. Overnight it is almost always 0-2mph. Although that chart shows Dayton, OH as having 11mph winds 2/3's of the year. I could only wish we would have more steady winds. Living in a valley isn't great for consistent winds.

coreykite - 19-6-2007 at 09:41 AM

Hey Sailors,
Average winds can be a tricky thing.
Here in the Mojave we will often have days with winds 15-25, and gusts over 40.
What is the average?
How does knowing an average wind speed help in this situation?

Knowing specific winds is much more meaningful, seems to me.

Every kite I fly helps make me a better kiter, no matter what kite I fly.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

OreBeamer - 19-6-2007 at 08:32 PM

Anybody reccommend a handheld anemometer that wouldn't hurt the pocketbook too bad?

lowerdfool - 20-6-2007 at 07:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by OreBeamer
Anybody reccommend a handheld anemometer that wouldn't hurt the pocketbook too bad?


Windmaster 2's are nice for the money. Although many don't feel like spending $95 for a wind meter. Try to find something that is omni directional if possible. I have a skymate that is nice as well. Similar to a kestrel 1000. It works well but you have to aim it towards the wind.

B-Roc - 20-6-2007 at 09:07 AM

I also have a skymate (SM-18 I believe) and it works great - but as said, you need to point it into the wind.

coreykite - 21-6-2007 at 11:08 AM

Even if the meter is omnidirectional, you still need to point it into the wind.
Body mass creaters wind turbulence.
Holding a meter downwind gives false readings.

More about value than cost.
First, look around for any moving things.
Guess the wind speed.
THEN pull out your meter and get a reading.

Using your meter as a calibration tool for your eyes...
So you learn to "see" the wind quite accurately...
Gives more value for the same cost.

The Xplorer 1 wind meter is $49
They go up from there.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama