Wow! Good stuff. I've read all these posts several times as I've tried to incorporate all this great intel into a hunting strategy. Yes, I play the wind, or, to put it truthfully, the wind plays me. So, I don't know what I have to offer to build the conversation. But, that's never stopped me!
Those forecasts you look at before heading to the stand are models, not reality. Wind speeds and directions are collected from point locations, many official NWS point locations of which I think there nearly 100 here in Virginia. Then, some math (a model) is applied to display what the speed and direction might be wherever you are. The accuracy? Some models are better than others. Some work well in certain conditions and not in others.
The National Weather Service reports observed speeds and directions as two-minute averages. If, where you are, the wind is shifty, take a measurement every second and average 120 of those readings. I'm sure you will then find your observations more in line with what you'll find on the web! I'm just kidding....
And just for reference the NWS readings are taken 10 meters above the ground. And that brings up another problem. The reporting stations are, in groups, at different elevations.
I guess my point is, what you see being reported probably isn't exactly what you encounter. Everybody know that, but can we now feel better about it?
Anybody use an anemometer? I hope I get one for Christmas.
Here's my question...If I have a digital elevation model of where I hunt, can I draw some general and/or specific conclusions about what I'm going to experience given whatever factors determine these currents? Temperature? Warming / cooling? Morning / Evening? High pressure / low pressure? I know its hard to think about all of that, and while I'm ready to throw up my hands and wash real good, I'm about to retire. I need something to think about when I'm not doing laundry.