Wind Patterns and Cottonwood Seeds

[Webster]

Wind patterns:
Yesterday was the first day this year I noticed large numbers of cottonwood seeds floating in the air. Interesting to see the wind patterns by watching the seeds. In 100 feet there must be more than ten completely different wind patterns. There seems to be a general direction of movement. At the same time you can see seeds moving left, right, away from you, towards you, up drift, down drift, rotating clockwise and rotating counter clockwise.

 

[Fuj]

Sounds like Ridgway Pa.....

 

[Shooter13]

It blows!!

 

[PopCharlie]

Since I started shooting over wind flag, I have become very aware of wind patterns. I live on a lake and I like to watch what the wind does to the surface of the water. I can see how the wind blows around the cove I live in.
The range I shoot at, you shoot into a box canyon created by berms and trees. There is also a berm at 50 yards that creates a funneling effect. I place a flag at the 50 yard line so I can see what the wind is doing in the funnel. Almost always 90° away from the other flags. I often see a condition where the 0 yard line flag is opposite the 75 yard line flag, one pointing left, the other right. The 50 yard flag is pointing down range. When this happens, I'll just shoot to see what the bullet does.

PopCharlie

 

[Park ranger]

I’ve felt that a flat shooting Cartridge like a 243 with a high bc bullet will deflect less that a slow moving ultra high BC bullet like a 230 grain 308, because you stay lower to the ground and less in that wonky air currents.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I’ve felt that a flat shooting Cartridge like a 243 with a high bc bullet will deflect less that a slow moving ultra high BC bullet like a 230 grain 308, because you stay lower to the ground and less in that wonky air currents.

I have to admit it...I have never thought of that one. Just how much difference are we talking in trajectory here?

 

[Keith Glasscock]

A lot of the wonkiness (is that a word?) comes from the wind interacting with the texture of the ground, buildings, vegetation, etc..

The wind speed will be higher at a higher elevation, but there will be less turbulence. With that in mind, there isn't a whole lot of difference in apogee between them. The difference is likely less than 2.5 feet dependig on which bullet and launch velocities.

If we apply the appropriate calculation from the Sandia labs report, SAND84-2530,
we find that the difference in wind velocity for that 2.5 feet is only about 4% over open terrain. If we get into the trees and buildings, that number will increase some, perhaps double.

From an anecdotal perspective, I've see situations where the turbulence was up higher, caused by the tree tops, and the low flying bullets had a smooth ride. On the other hand, I've seen just the opposite at other ranges.

YMMV

 

[BlueWater]

Interesting to see the wind patterns by watching the seeds. In 100 feet there must be more than ten completely different wind patterns.

A range near me has a similar "toilet bowl" (swirling) effect. Hard to get a handle on, if it's coming from a certain direction but isn't quite strong enough to get its way.

On the bright side, it sure helps polish the wind reading skills.

 

[ebb]

That wind pattern was established at the Manatee range and when the wind had learned it well enough, it taught all of it's wind buddies and moved around the country.

 

[Fuj]

When shooting long and especially with a come up of over
20 minutes. your bullet could be going thru a breeze that is
blowing left, but flags at target level are showing right.

 

[Webster]

I’ve felt that a flat shooting Cartridge like a 243 with a high bc bullet will deflect less that a slow moving ultra high BC bullet like a 230 grain 308, because you stay lower to the ground and less in that wonky air currents.

At most hunting distances it doesn't matter. In the Eastern US most deer are shoot under 100 yards.

 

[Park ranger]

At most hunting distances it doesn't matter. In the Eastern US most deer are shoot under 100 yards.

Yeah, I’m thinking more like long range at Camp Perry

 

[std7mag]

While not with shooting long range, when archery hunting i usually carry 3 pods of what i believe are milk weed seeds.
The old talcum thing only shows a stronger breeze for the few feet it travels.
Drop a milk weed seed or 3 from the treestand, and watch them go all over the place for several hundred yards.
Even on a fairly calm day.

It'll tell you real quick why the deer are smelling you.

 

[284winner]

At most hunting distances it doesn't matter. In the Eastern US most deer are shoot under 100 yards.

True unless you specifically look for places to kill at much longer ranges. I shoot clear cuts in my camp area and those can be half mile long clearings and even longer. Success is less being open but it offers opportunities that most other areas don't.