current

wind speed & direction past 6 hours

We find this to be one of the most accurate "should I go Fly now" indicators (Coast Guard Buoy FBIS1 is our favorite). The data tabulated from IOPweather.com, a private weather station residing on the marsh side of Isle of Palms.

This chart is also a great tool for seeing how much wind you were just flying in. Look on the graph for wind speeds (blue line) that remain in-between horizontal lines above 10 knots.

For example, readings that have remained in the 10-15 knot range without dipping above the 15kst line or below the 10kts line indicates a steady breeze. Should you see spikes above or below, be wary of gusts/lulls.

Readings tend to be low when winds are out of the south above 10kts.

latest reports table
Compiled from various wind readings around coastal SC & GA.

main header
LOC = Site Location (see below for descriptions)

DIR = Current Wind Direction

SPD = Current Wind Speed in Knots

GST = Max Wind Speed Since Last Reading

TIME = Report Time

CGS=Charleston Coast Guard Station located on Charleston’s Peninsula tip. Very accurate for current coastal weather conditions, though somewhat sheltered from true wind readings. Often reads low. This is the closest thing we currently have to real time data.

CWP = Waterfront Park located on the east side of the Charleston Peninsula. Very accurate indicator for current wind speeds.

JIYC = James Island Yacht Club. Local conditions in the Charleston Harbor. The yacht club is open to West, North, Northeast, and Northwest winds, and is sheltered from South winds. Therefore, Southerly wind reading may be light.

CAB = Charleston Air Force Base AKA Charleston Airport. Valuable for direction and inland wind speeds for land based kitesports.

IOP = Isle of Palms. Taken close to the marina, can be low compared to surf zone winds.

CHB = Charleston Harbor Pilot Buoy 6. Used by pilot boat captains for accurate Charleston Harbor readings. When available, a good source for winds in and around inlets.

HHI = Hilton Head Island.

SAV = Savannah, GA.

EDI = Edisto Island.

forecasted

modeled>>>
The NOAA modeled near/off shore forecast is good enough for predicting offshore conditions that may impact our local shores.

predicted>>>
Charleston harbor pilot captain forecast discussions. This is the most accurate indicator of both current conditions and if the modeled forecasts are accurate. Filled with abbreviations, it is extremely useful in figuring out if you should be kiting now and what's going to happen in the near future.

forecasts>>>
buoy wind / wave forecast
NOAA modeled forecast data for the Edisto buoy (closest buoys in our vicinity). Good indicator of future wave heights and wind forecasts.

surf zone / beach forecast
NOAA predicited weather patterns along our local beaches. Good indicator but the coastal marine forecast (see below) tends to beat it in accuracy.

coastal marine forecast
NOAA modeled weather forecast from the coast out to 20 miles at sea. We consider this one of the better forecasts and use it often.

offshore marine forecast
NOAA modeled weather forecast greater than 20 miles out at sea.

maps & charts>>>
Satellites can determine the winds over the surface of the ocean to a degree of accuracy rivaling moored buoy measurements. The jet propulsion laboratory uses this data to construct the following:

windstream 10m
Visually shows current wind patterns and what various weather systems may bring our way

windstream 10m long range
Same as above, but zoomed to a larger geographic range.

quick SCAT ocean wind maps
A scatterometer is a microwave radar sensor used to measure the reflection or scattering effect produced while scanning the surface of the earth from an aircraft or a satellite. Shows wind barbs. Can be tough to read at first, especially is satellite is out of range.