Forecasts and ratings
Where the forecast comes from, how the timing works and what Good, Fair and Tough mean.
- What do Good, Fair and Tough mean?Each day is rated on the extra effort the wind costs at your pace, side-on gusts, very strong gusts, rain, heat and cold, at the times you’ll be riding. The worst of these sets the rating, and Windline always says why.
- How are headwind, crosswind and tailwind worked out?For each stretch, Windline compares the wind direction with the direction of the road. Wind within 60° of straight ahead is a headwind, within 60° of straight behind is a tailwind, and anything between is a crosswind. Winding stretches count as crosswind.
- Why is a windy day rated Good?Because the wind is mostly behind you. Windline rates the effort the wind costs at your pace, so a strong tailwind makes the day easier, not harder. A day only turns Fair or Tough for wind if it’s against you or gusting hard from the side.
- How does Windline time the forecast to my ride?Windline works out when you’ll reach each stretch of the route from the start time, the riding speed and the stop time, slowing you on climbs and speeding you up on descents. It then reads the forecast for that place at that minute.
- Where does the forecast come from, and how often does it update?The weather data comes from Apple Weather. Windline refreshes it about every hour for rides in the next two days, every three hours up to five days out, and every six hours further ahead. Each day shows when its forecast was last updated.
- Why does a day say “Soon” or “Forecast opens”?The day is more than about 10 days away, which is as far ahead as Apple Weather forecasts. Windline shows the date the forecast opens, 10 days before the day. Open the same link from then on and the rating appears.
- Why is Windline’s forecast different from my weather app?Usually because your weather app shows one town at one hour, while Windline shows each stretch of your route at the time you’ll reach it. Different forecast providers, gust heights and wind directions relative to the road also change the numbers.
- What does “Cold front around this day” mean?Windline found a cold front close to when that day starts: a clear drop in temperature with rising air pressure, which often brings a wind shift, stronger gusts and rain. Open Fronts on the event page to see when and what changes.
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