Methodology 2026.07.1

Every condition score, factor by factor.

PeakSeek converts sport-specific weather and water inputs into a 0–100 condition score. Each visible point comes from a named factor in this versioned methodology.

Shared score tiers

85+ on the 0–100 scale

Peak

The strongest alignment across tracked factors.

65+ on the 0–100 scale

Good

Several important factors align, with some tradeoffs.

50+ on the 0–100 scale

Acceptable

A mixed window that warrants closer local review.

0+ on the 0–100 scale

Poor

Tracked factors do not support a strong window.

Sport contracts

Contributions shown below are maximums. The live explainer displays the observed or documented fallback value and the exact points used for a destination reading.

powder

Powder skiing

Fresh snow and cold temperature

Fresh snow: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 cm or more in 24 hours. Fresh accumulation raises the powder score up to a 50-point cap.
Snow temperature: up to 50 points; Threshold: -2°C or colder. Cold snow earns the dry-powder contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Snow accumulation is a modeled 24-hour input, not an on-mountain measurement.

snowboard

Snowboarding

Fresh snow and cold temperature

Fresh snow: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 cm or more in 24 hours. Fresh accumulation raises the powder score up to a 50-point cap.
Snow temperature: up to 50 points; Threshold: -2°C or colder. Cold snow earns the dry-powder contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Snow accumulation is a modeled 24-hour input, not an on-mountain measurement.

wind

Windsurfing

Wind strength, gust stability, and coast-relative angle

Sustained wind: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 knots or more. Sustained wind contributes up to 50 points.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: Gusts no more than 1.4× sustained wind. A lower gust ratio indicates steadier wind.
Coast-relative angle: up to 25 points; Threshold: Side-shore or side-onshore (0°–110° relative angle). The wind direction is compared with the coastline bearing.

Sport-specific limits

Coastline bearing is a simplified orientation, not a launch-site wind assessment.

surf

Surfing

Swell height, period, and offshore wind

Swell height: up to 40 points; Threshold: 1.5 m or higher. Swell height contributes up to 40 points.
Swell period: up to 40 points; Threshold: 10 seconds or longer. Longer-period swell contributes up to 40 points.
Offshore wind: up to 20 points; Threshold: Under 15 knots and more than 110° from the coastline bearing. Light offshore wind earns the wind contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Tide, bathymetry, local wind shelter, and crowding are not scored.

kitesurf

Kitesurfing

Wind strength, stability, angle, and wave height

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 15–25 knots ideal; 10–35 knots remains scored. Rideable, moderate kite wind scores highest.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 1.7× maximum scored. Steadier wind scores higher.
Coast-relative angle: up to 25 points; Threshold: 70°–110° ideal; 45°–135° good. Side-shore wind scores highest.
Wave height: up to 15 points; Threshold: Below 1.5 m earns the full wave contribution. Moderate waves support broader kite conditions.

Sport-specific limits

Coastline bearing is a simplified orientation, not a launch-site wind assessment.

mtb

Mountain biking

Temperature, rain, trail drying, wind, and visibility

Temperature: up to 30 points; Threshold: 55–75°F ideal; 45–85°F good; 35–90°F acceptable. Comfortable riding temperature.
Precipitation: up to 25 points; Threshold: 0 dry; below 0.05 light; below 0.15 moderate in the live reading's displayed unit. Drier trails score higher.
Trail drying time: up to 25 points; Threshold: More than 24 hours is best. Time since rain approximates trail drying.
Wind speed: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 10 mph is best; below 20 mph is good. Lower winds support a more comfortable ride.
Visibility: up to 10 points; Threshold: More than 8 km is best; more than 4 km is good. Visibility supports route awareness.

Sport-specific limits

Trail surface, soil type, closures, and maintenance notices are not available in the weather model.
The legacy temperature bands are Fahrenheit while some upstream feeds may be normalized differently; verify the displayed factor value.

climbing

Climbing

Temperature, precipitation, drying time, wind, and humidity

Temperature: up to 30 points; Threshold: 50–70°F ideal; 40–80°F good; 30–85°F acceptable. Comfortable climbing temperature.
Precipitation: up to 30 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 0.02 in the live reading's displayed unit is light mist. Dry rock is essential for reliable friction.
Rock drying time: up to 25 points; Threshold: More than 48 hours is best. Time since rain approximates rock drying.
Wind speed: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 8 mph is best; below 25 mph remains scored. Lower wind reduces exposure risk.
Humidity: up to 5 points; Threshold: Below 40% is best; below 80% remains scored. Lower humidity generally improves friction.

Sport-specific limits

Rock type, seepage, shade, and local closures are not scored.
The legacy temperature bands are Fahrenheit while some upstream feeds may be normalized differently; verify the displayed factor value.

scuba

Scuba diving

Water temperature, visibility, surface state, current, and wind

Water temperature: up to 25 points; Threshold: 24–29°C ideal; 20–32°C good. Water temperature affects exposure protection.
Underwater visibility: up to 30 points; Threshold: 25 m exceptional; 15 m good; 8 m moderate. Clearer water contributes most strongly.
Surface waves: up to 20 points; Threshold: Below 0.5 m is best; below 1.5 m remains scored. Calmer surfaces improve entry and exit.
Current: up to 15 points; Threshold: Below 0.5 knots is best; below 2 knots remains scored. Lower current is suitable for more divers.
Surface wind: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 10 knots is best; below 15 knots is moderate. Lower wind generally means calmer surface conditions.

Sport-specific limits

Depth-specific current, marine notices, and operator restrictions are not scored.

whitewater

Whitewater

River flow, water temperature, precipitation, and flow stability

River flow: up to 40 points; Threshold: 2,000–6,000 cfs optimal; 1,000–10,000 cfs good. River flow is compared in cubic feet per second.
Water temperature: up to 25 points; Threshold: 15–22°C comfortable; 10–25°C cool. Water temperature affects exposure risk.
Precipitation: up to 20 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 0.3 in the live reading's displayed unit remains scored. Heavy rain can create flash-flood risk.
Flow stability: up to 15 points; Threshold: More than 48 hours since rain is best. Time since rain approximates flow stability.

Sport-specific limits

Flow is scored in cubic feet per second and is not a substitute for gauge-specific guidance.

paragliding

Paragliding

Wind, gust stability, cloud base, precipitation, and visibility

Wind speed: up to 30 points; Threshold: 5–15 knots ideal; 3–20 knots acceptable. Launch wind should be neither calm nor excessive.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 2× or less remains scored. Steadier air scores higher.
Cloud base: up to 20 points; Threshold: 1,500 m or higher is best; 500 m minimum scored. Higher cloud base supports a larger flying window.
Precipitation: up to 15 points; Threshold: No precipitation. Any precipitation removes this contribution.
Visibility: up to 10 points; Threshold: 10 km or more is best; 5 km or more is good. Visibility supports route and landing awareness.

Sport-specific limits

Thermals, rotor, launch restrictions, and airspace notices are not scored.

wingsuit

Wingsuit flying

Wind, turbulence proxy, visibility, cloud base, and precipitation

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 5 knots or less is ideal; 15 knots maximum scored. Calmer wind scores higher.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.2× or less is best; 1.6× maximum scored. Steadier air scores higher.
Visibility: up to 20 points; Threshold: 15 km or more is best; 5 km minimum scored. Visibility supports terrain separation and navigation.
Cloud base: up to 15 points; Threshold: 2,000 m or higher is best; 1,000 m minimum scored. Higher cloud base preserves visual clearance.
Precipitation: up to 5 points; Threshold: No precipitation. Any precipitation removes this contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Terrain, exit conditions, airspace, and operator judgment are not scored.

sailing

Sailing

Wind, gust stability, sea state, visibility, and precipitation

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 10–20 knots ideal; 4–30 knots remains scored. A moderate sailing breeze scores highest.
Gust stability: up to 20 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 1.8× maximum scored. A steadier breeze scores higher.
Wave height: up to 20 points; Threshold: Below 1 m is best; below 3 m remains scored. Calmer seas score higher.
Visibility: up to 15 points; Threshold: 10 km or more is best; 5 km or more is good. Visibility supports navigation and traffic awareness.
Precipitation: up to 10 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 2 in the live reading's displayed unit is light in the legacy evaluator. Drier conditions score higher.

Sport-specific limits

Tide, current, vessel capability, and marine warnings are not scored.

What the score cannot tell you

Forecasts and modeled conditions can differ from conditions at the site.
Precipitation evidence labels the provider-specific rate: OpenWeather values are normalized to in/hr, while Tomorrow.io values remain mm/hr to preserve the accepted legacy calculation.
The score is guidance, not a safety forecast; check local reports and official warnings before travel or participation.

Return to the live destination board to compare current readings.

Shared score tiers

85+ on the 0–100 scale

Peak

The strongest alignment across tracked factors.

65+ on the 0–100 scale

Good

Several important factors align, with some tradeoffs.

50+ on the 0–100 scale

Acceptable

A mixed window that warrants closer local review.

0+ on the 0–100 scale

Poor

Tracked factors do not support a strong window.

Sport contracts

Contributions shown below are maximums. The live explainer displays the observed or documented fallback value and the exact points used for a destination reading.

powder

Powder skiing

Fresh snow and cold temperature

Fresh snow: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 cm or more in 24 hours. Fresh accumulation raises the powder score up to a 50-point cap.
Snow temperature: up to 50 points; Threshold: -2°C or colder. Cold snow earns the dry-powder contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Snow accumulation is a modeled 24-hour input, not an on-mountain measurement.

snowboard

Snowboarding

Fresh snow and cold temperature

Fresh snow: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 cm or more in 24 hours. Fresh accumulation raises the powder score up to a 50-point cap.
Snow temperature: up to 50 points; Threshold: -2°C or colder. Cold snow earns the dry-powder contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Snow accumulation is a modeled 24-hour input, not an on-mountain measurement.

wind

Windsurfing

Wind strength, gust stability, and coast-relative angle

Sustained wind: up to 50 points; Threshold: 15 knots or more. Sustained wind contributes up to 50 points.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: Gusts no more than 1.4× sustained wind. A lower gust ratio indicates steadier wind.
Coast-relative angle: up to 25 points; Threshold: Side-shore or side-onshore (0°–110° relative angle). The wind direction is compared with the coastline bearing.

Sport-specific limits

Coastline bearing is a simplified orientation, not a launch-site wind assessment.

surf

Surfing

Swell height, period, and offshore wind

Swell height: up to 40 points; Threshold: 1.5 m or higher. Swell height contributes up to 40 points.
Swell period: up to 40 points; Threshold: 10 seconds or longer. Longer-period swell contributes up to 40 points.
Offshore wind: up to 20 points; Threshold: Under 15 knots and more than 110° from the coastline bearing. Light offshore wind earns the wind contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Tide, bathymetry, local wind shelter, and crowding are not scored.

kitesurf

Kitesurfing

Wind strength, stability, angle, and wave height

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 15–25 knots ideal; 10–35 knots remains scored. Rideable, moderate kite wind scores highest.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 1.7× maximum scored. Steadier wind scores higher.
Coast-relative angle: up to 25 points; Threshold: 70°–110° ideal; 45°–135° good. Side-shore wind scores highest.
Wave height: up to 15 points; Threshold: Below 1.5 m earns the full wave contribution. Moderate waves support broader kite conditions.

Sport-specific limits

Coastline bearing is a simplified orientation, not a launch-site wind assessment.

mtb

Mountain biking

Temperature, rain, trail drying, wind, and visibility

Temperature: up to 30 points; Threshold: 55–75°F ideal; 45–85°F good; 35–90°F acceptable. Comfortable riding temperature.
Precipitation: up to 25 points; Threshold: 0 dry; below 0.05 light; below 0.15 moderate in the live reading's displayed unit. Drier trails score higher.
Trail drying time: up to 25 points; Threshold: More than 24 hours is best. Time since rain approximates trail drying.
Wind speed: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 10 mph is best; below 20 mph is good. Lower winds support a more comfortable ride.
Visibility: up to 10 points; Threshold: More than 8 km is best; more than 4 km is good. Visibility supports route awareness.

Sport-specific limits

Trail surface, soil type, closures, and maintenance notices are not available in the weather model.
The legacy temperature bands are Fahrenheit while some upstream feeds may be normalized differently; verify the displayed factor value.

climbing

Climbing

Temperature, precipitation, drying time, wind, and humidity

Temperature: up to 30 points; Threshold: 50–70°F ideal; 40–80°F good; 30–85°F acceptable. Comfortable climbing temperature.
Precipitation: up to 30 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 0.02 in the live reading's displayed unit is light mist. Dry rock is essential for reliable friction.
Rock drying time: up to 25 points; Threshold: More than 48 hours is best. Time since rain approximates rock drying.
Wind speed: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 8 mph is best; below 25 mph remains scored. Lower wind reduces exposure risk.
Humidity: up to 5 points; Threshold: Below 40% is best; below 80% remains scored. Lower humidity generally improves friction.

Sport-specific limits

Rock type, seepage, shade, and local closures are not scored.
The legacy temperature bands are Fahrenheit while some upstream feeds may be normalized differently; verify the displayed factor value.

scuba

Scuba diving

Water temperature, visibility, surface state, current, and wind

Water temperature: up to 25 points; Threshold: 24–29°C ideal; 20–32°C good. Water temperature affects exposure protection.
Underwater visibility: up to 30 points; Threshold: 25 m exceptional; 15 m good; 8 m moderate. Clearer water contributes most strongly.
Surface waves: up to 20 points; Threshold: Below 0.5 m is best; below 1.5 m remains scored. Calmer surfaces improve entry and exit.
Current: up to 15 points; Threshold: Below 0.5 knots is best; below 2 knots remains scored. Lower current is suitable for more divers.
Surface wind: up to 10 points; Threshold: Below 10 knots is best; below 15 knots is moderate. Lower wind generally means calmer surface conditions.

Sport-specific limits

Depth-specific current, marine notices, and operator restrictions are not scored.

whitewater

Whitewater

River flow, water temperature, precipitation, and flow stability

River flow: up to 40 points; Threshold: 2,000–6,000 cfs optimal; 1,000–10,000 cfs good. River flow is compared in cubic feet per second.
Water temperature: up to 25 points; Threshold: 15–22°C comfortable; 10–25°C cool. Water temperature affects exposure risk.
Precipitation: up to 20 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 0.3 in the live reading's displayed unit remains scored. Heavy rain can create flash-flood risk.
Flow stability: up to 15 points; Threshold: More than 48 hours since rain is best. Time since rain approximates flow stability.

Sport-specific limits

Flow is scored in cubic feet per second and is not a substitute for gauge-specific guidance.

paragliding

Paragliding

Wind, gust stability, cloud base, precipitation, and visibility

Wind speed: up to 30 points; Threshold: 5–15 knots ideal; 3–20 knots acceptable. Launch wind should be neither calm nor excessive.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 2× or less remains scored. Steadier air scores higher.
Cloud base: up to 20 points; Threshold: 1,500 m or higher is best; 500 m minimum scored. Higher cloud base supports a larger flying window.
Precipitation: up to 15 points; Threshold: No precipitation. Any precipitation removes this contribution.
Visibility: up to 10 points; Threshold: 10 km or more is best; 5 km or more is good. Visibility supports route and landing awareness.

Sport-specific limits

Thermals, rotor, launch restrictions, and airspace notices are not scored.

wingsuit

Wingsuit flying

Wind, turbulence proxy, visibility, cloud base, and precipitation

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 5 knots or less is ideal; 15 knots maximum scored. Calmer wind scores higher.
Gust stability: up to 25 points; Threshold: 1.2× or less is best; 1.6× maximum scored. Steadier air scores higher.
Visibility: up to 20 points; Threshold: 15 km or more is best; 5 km minimum scored. Visibility supports terrain separation and navigation.
Cloud base: up to 15 points; Threshold: 2,000 m or higher is best; 1,000 m minimum scored. Higher cloud base preserves visual clearance.
Precipitation: up to 5 points; Threshold: No precipitation. Any precipitation removes this contribution.

Sport-specific limits

Terrain, exit conditions, airspace, and operator judgment are not scored.

sailing

Sailing

Wind, gust stability, sea state, visibility, and precipitation

Wind speed: up to 35 points; Threshold: 10–20 knots ideal; 4–30 knots remains scored. A moderate sailing breeze scores highest.
Gust stability: up to 20 points; Threshold: 1.3× or less is best; 1.8× maximum scored. A steadier breeze scores higher.
Wave height: up to 20 points; Threshold: Below 1 m is best; below 3 m remains scored. Calmer seas score higher.
Visibility: up to 15 points; Threshold: 10 km or more is best; 5 km or more is good. Visibility supports navigation and traffic awareness.
Precipitation: up to 10 points; Threshold: Dry is best; below 2 in the live reading's displayed unit is light in the legacy evaluator. Drier conditions score higher.

Sport-specific limits

Tide, current, vessel capability, and marine warnings are not scored.

What the score cannot tell you

Forecasts and modeled conditions can differ from conditions at the site.

Precipitation evidence labels the provider-specific rate: OpenWeather values are normalized to in/hr, while Tomorrow.io values remain mm/hr to preserve the accepted legacy calculation.

The score is guidance, not a safety forecast; check local reports and official warnings before travel or participation.

Return to the live destination board to compare current readings.