Click image to view larger version        

Ridge flights in the south are similar to those described for flying the ridges in the Northeast.  Typcially, you simply wait for a cold front to pass -- of course, there are plenty of other conditions that must be right for long flights to be workable.  We started watching for a frontal passage about three weeks ago in anticipation of this flight.  We are well passed the peak Fall season for long flights but we knew that it was possible to fly for 6 or 7 hours this time of year.  On Tuesday, two days before the flight, we noticed a promising front developing in the Northwestern US.  We typically check http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/progs/ daily during ridge season.  The image to the right is the surface analysis chart the morning of the flight.  This surface analysis was forecast the night before just the same.  (Mouse over the image for a larger view of the map.)

This surface analysis has the classic ingredients for a good ridge day with low pressure over the Northeast and a high pressure dome over Texas creating northwest oriented isobars that produce the steady northwest winds for the day.  There are several good sites for looking at the forecast winds including http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/winds/, Dr. Jack's BLIPMAPS and http://www.usairnet.com/weather.htm.

                                                                                                                                 (Back to Main Article)  

The Weather Details