Weather Forecasting For Soaring Flight -wmo- Technical Note No. 203- <2K 2026>

For current operational use, one should combine the physical principles of TN 203 with modern NWP output, but the mental framework — especially the separation of lift mechanisms and the emphasis on the convective boundary layer — is timeless.

When the wind blows against a mountain or ridge, the air is forced upward. This is known as orographic lift. While it seems straightforward—wind hits mountain, air goes up—TN-203 highlights the complexities that make forecasting vital. For current operational use, one should combine the