Aviation Meteorologist, Col.(ret) Greek Air Force
@TChilli
"Surface" is a map of wind (or temperature) at model's lowest atmospheric layer.
Over the ocean (or open sea) it is the same with MSL.
In complex terrain it may differ a lot from reality.
Also ...
Strong winds situations give even more innacurate forecasts near surface.
@TChilli
Yes, you got it!
Always keep in mind that complex terrain is a major source of inaccuracy in models.
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@lightmastertech
WMO standards indicate the wind speed will be determined from the average over the 10 minutes preceding the observation.
According to https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=3425
"The wind reported should be the mean over the 10 min preceding the observation.
If during this period there has been a marked discontinuity lasting at least 2 min,
the mean values should be assessed over the period after the discontinuity.
A marked discontinuity occurs when there is a wind direction
change of 30° or more with a wind speed of 10 kt (5 m/s) or more,
before or after the change, or a wind speed change of 10 kt (5 m/s) or more.
The averaging period for measuring variations from the mean wind speed (gusts)
should be 3 sec."
