Using Soundings at One Location and Time to Predict Wind Profiles at Other Locations and Times

Observed profiles of wind are often used as first-guess predictors for wind profiles nearby in space and time.  In this study, we use numerous soundings from different sensor platforms and model analyses in various climate zones to evaluate their skill in predicting wind profiles at other locations and times.  We will discuss how the choice of location of a sounding can be optimized to provide the best prediction of the wind profile at another location.  We will also discuss how knowledge of the wind field between the sounding and another location of interest, such as is available from model analyses, can be used to better predict the magnitude of the wind differences between the two.