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Old 06-29-2009, 01:33 PM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Default Draft Weather Planning & Monitoring Document

Updating the following document again. Plan to add some cloud photos, along with some example images from the linked websites. Input on this?

Thanks!


Kiting Weather Planning & Monitoring
(Draft, June 29, 2009)

Kiteboarding Weather Planning And Monitoring

1. Marine/Water & Hazard Forecasts
Check reliable forecasts (HAZARD & MARINE FORECASTS, predicted winds, direction, temperatures, anticipated changes, cold fronts, tropical or strong systems). Anticipate changes don’t fall into them. The degree of the weather hazard may or may not comply with the prediction, it may be worse, more benign or spot on. So use good judgement and care to suppliment what is predicted. Not all private weather sites are reliable, use what is proven to work well in your area. Will your kite size work for the entire day or will you need to increase or decrease size at some point. How about exposure clothing, is there a sudden temperature drop inbound?
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

2. Radar and Satellite Maps
Is stormy weather (often bright colored masses), squall lines, isolated storm clouds or feeder bands inbound? Looping weather images can show CURRENT trends and speed. Does it look they will arrive during your session? Temper this with LOCAL knowledge as conditions can change radically in only an hour sometimes, systems can accelerate or stall, etc..
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php
http://www.weather.gov/sat_tab.php?image=ir

3. Synoptic/Frontal Weather Maps
Are there significant weather systems inbound, cold fronts, tropical systems, strong high/low pressure, close pressure isobars for strong wind? Look at these maps on loop again to estimate CURRENT trends and speed.
http://www.weather.gov/outlook_tab.php

4. Real time winds
How are winds upweather or the direction of the prevailing system, spikes/gusty and shifting winds inbound? Frequently you can see a preview of what the front will bring to your area, hundreds of miles upweather in advance. Squalls may show wind spikes as well has erratic direction changes. It’s a free look at what may be the future, why not take it? If unstable weather is coming avoid it until it passes.
http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=201

5. Rideable conditions or NOT?
If you decide to go, STAY AWARE, at all times of the weather. Things like cloud lines, funnel clouds, wind direction and velocity, white caps, mist, temperature changes, etc.. Typical weather patterns may be recognized within given seasons. Learn what to look for and when to react. Measure wind speed at the launch along with other visual indicators such as white caps, tree and flag movement and ask how other kiters are doing on their respective kite sizes before selecting yours. If you expect a weather change to occur, don't be on the water if something violent comes through. Be alert for signs of the change and come in early. Squalls can more a mile a minute towards you and in limited visibility or with late detection may not allow for return to shore and assisted landing. Be ready to safely emergency depower while still offshore if necessary. Sometimes, although not always, the hazardous period can be short so just wait it out on shore, kite secured. Is the wind from a useable direction, side shore or side onshore and free of wind shadow from headlands, mountains, etc.? Mechanical turbulance can create hazardous gusts and lulls due to ground effects. Is there a better, safer launch for the conditions, if so, why not go there? Offshore winds should be avoided without a dedicated chase boat. Understand the fronts frequently cause the wind direction to "clock" about 90 degrees. Make sure you aren't caught offguard by this. Winds may continue to shift direction clockwise as the front passes. Pronounced gusts and plunging temperatures may come with this wind change with the passage of the frontal boundary as well. Tropical systems frequently have hazardous embedded squalls, kiters should not have kites up when they are in the area.

6. At the beach & riding
Checkout wind speed, direction, sky and water conditions at the launch and during your session. Is the wind useable*, are sky conditions stable or threatening? What do threatening sky conditions look like in your area? You should know, common sense, reasonable caution and listing to your gut should help as well.. Are there dark clouds and/or a wind/whitewater inbound? What about funnel clouds or waterspouts, are there small points showing up at the bottom of clouds? Always be aware of your surroundings, weather changes, ANTICIPATE & REACT early.

7. Hazardous Weather System is almost here!
Land, thoroughly secure gear early, before significant wind, temperature changes or threatening weather arrives. Systems can move 60 mph + hitting with minimal warning. If caught on the water, consider totally or emergency depowering early, waiting too long has taken riders. Be ready to release your kite leash if your kite powers up again. Riding out far from shore may work for ships. Ships don’t get ripped 50’+ from the water and blown at high speed downwind. DON'T WAIT, act early to kill the power of the kite even if it means swimming in after. Your strong swimming skills and impact vest should make that a manageable process.

* Useable wind - within a steady enough wind speed range and direction, suitable for your training, experience and equipment. High depower kites MAY do just that or just as easily not in a high wind emergency. Things can and do go wrong, exercise reasonable prudence and caution. Don't assume that you'll figure things out during the high wind emergency, sometimes it does not workout well at all.
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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi

Last edited by ricki; 06-29-2009 at 03:51 PM.
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