The "jet fuel" of soaring. Standing atmospheric waves downwind of mountains, allowing altitudes above 30,000 feet.
Note No. 203 is not just theory; it is a manual. It outlines a step-by-step methodology for the operational forecaster working with limited data (pre-internet era, yet still valid).
Unlike standard aviation forecasts (which focus on safety, turbulence, and icing for powered aircraft), soaring forecasts demand predictions of — specifically, the location, strength, and depth of rising air currents. The "jet fuel" of soaring
WMO Technical Note No. 203 is more than a forecasting manual; it is a philosophy of flight. It argues that the atmosphere is a fluid landscape, with mountains of rising air and valleys of sinking air.
The note praises the early TIROS-N satellites for identifying "dry slots." A dry tongue wrapping around a low-pressure system indicates clear air turbulence and wave potential. 203 is not just theory; it is a manual
WMO Technical Note No. 203 (WMO-No. 1038), "Weather Forecasting for Soaring Flight," establishes international standards for predicting atmospheric conditions crucial for non-powered aviation. Published in 2009, this guide details methods for forecasting thermal, ridge, and lee wave lift using advanced numerical weather prediction models and GPS data validation. For more information, visit the WMO documentation at community.wmo.int . Handbook of meteorological forecasting for soaring flight
As climate change alters convection patterns and wind regimes, the principles laid out in this WMO technical note become even more critical. When you look at a forecast for a glider, you are not looking for "good weather." You are looking for disorder, instability, and energy. You are looking for the invisible architecture of the sky. WMO Technical Note No
The note identifies three primary types of lift, each requiring distinct forecasting approaches:
In 1984, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published a seminal work that bridged the gap between academic meteorology and competitive soaring: Technical Note No. 203: Weather Forecasting for Soaring Flight . Despite being decades old, this document remains the foundational textbook for cross-country gliding meteorology. This article deconstructs the core principles of Note No. 203, translating its dense technical language into practical wisdom for modern pilots and forecasters.