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By iantruckers
#1826322
Is there a rule of thumb about the wind strength and direction above ground level and at different times of the day and night? I`ve just been reading the Confuser Manual and I`m a little lost, The metar says for example surface wind 05005kt during the night in summer, at 2000ft the answer would be A:12030kt B:09010kt C:12010kt D:09020kt. The answer is D. Another one: about 1400Z under clear skies, the wind is 22025kt, what would it be at 2000ft? A:26040kt B:24035kt C:22020kt D:23030kt. Answer is B, it says 25* wind and 50% increase in velocity along the isobars because it`s day time with solar energy
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By FlightDek
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1826331
An approximation I use on an average day is that the 2000ft wind bearing is surface wind +30 degrees, and the speed is just under double.

eg
Surface 240/15
2000ft 270/25

At night when there is probably less mixing of the air the differences will be increased
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By Iceman
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1826432
Remember that the rule of thumb that you apply in the Northern hemisphere will reverse (in terms of change of direction) in the Southern hemisphere.

Iceman 8)
iantruckers, Rob P liked this