Wind speed changes with altitude, and standard 10-meter wind forecasts often differ from crop-height conditions - leading to missed spraying opportunities, reduced effectiveness, and greater environmental risks.
Most weather services predict wind speeds at 10 meters above ground, a height less influenced by local geography and vegetation. While this works well for large-scale analyses, it’s far less useful for farmers, whose work happens much closer to the ground.
Many rely on a rough rule of thumb—that crop-height wind speed is 50% of the speed at 10 meters—but this is often inaccurate, leading to missed spraying windows and wasted time.
The closer to the ground you get, the more wind speed is affected by the surrounding area, making it slower and more turbulent. For any area, when you convert the wind speed at 10 meters to working height, you use a roughness factor.
The roughness factor describes the degree to which wind is affected by objects close to the ground. And it is the reason why weather services have to stick with 10 meter forecasts, because they simply can’t factor in roughness on a large scale as it varies significantly with local conditions.
However, you don't have to settle for imprecise approximations or forecasts that don't accurately reflect your local conditions. Cordulus' wind forecast incorporates your local area's roughness, providing you with more precise and reliable wind forecasts.
Wind forecasts at 2 meters provide insights that directly reflect crop-level conditions, where most farming activities take place. This makes them far more actionable for decision-making.
Unlike 10-meter predictions, which are generalized and less influenced by local factors, 2-meter forecasts capture the effects of terrain, vegetation, and surface roughness. These localized insights account for turbulence and microclimates, delivering data that mirrors the real-world conditions farmers face.
This accuracy is essential for activities like spraying, irrigating, and fertilizing, where small variations in wind speed can mean the difference between success and inefficiency.
Cordulus’ advanced AI-powered weather forecasts go beyond standard predictions, delivering precise wind insights at crop height. By incorporating real-time data from your local area, our system accounts for terrain, vegetation, and roughness, ensuring that your forecasts reflect the actual conditions on your fields.
With Cordulus, you get actionable wind forecasts tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s spraying, irrigating, or fertilizing. This accuracy helps you plan with confidence—allowing you to focus on what matters most: growing your business sustainably.
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