How does weather change arrow flight?

[tdcour]

Ok, so we all know wind will push an arrow, but how does an arrow perform in humid conditions vs. dry? How about low altitudes vs. high altitudes? Any other weather changes that change arrow flight? Hot to cold?

I'm thinking low altitudes or high humidity will have "thicker" air and push the arrow down. High altitudes or low humidity would help the arrow fly better. Any ideas on this? I was shooting my bow today after a rain where the humidity was 80% or better and was hitting consistently low... I don't think it was me because I was shooting dead on and haven't changed anything lately.

 

[RUTTIN]

I seem to hit low when it is raining, I always just thought that the extra weight from the rain drops on my arrow and veins was enough to weigh it down a little and make me hit low. Never really thought about atmospheric pressure though.


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[velvetfvr]

Usually when you go up in elevation the arrow will hit high because as you said, the pressure isn't on the arrow like lower elevations. I know some people have to either adjust the sights or turn the bow down a lb or two. Personally I haven't run into this yet in the high country but I know it exists. Just aim for the heart is all I do. And it's all cloudy and thunderstorms going on here right now, and I was hitting low. Maybe it's not just me because it was dead on.

 

[25contender]

Over the years I have checked out the difference with my bows between right at sea level on up to 10500 ft. And there is quite a difference. In fact depending on the humidity it can be almost +4" @ 30yds. To me that is quite a bit of difference.

 

[OregonJim]

My blood pressure seems to make my arrows fly high

 

[southernidahohunter]

I have to admit, I have never given it much thought, but it makes sense that altitude and humidity would affect arrow flight.

 

[ivorytip]

id like to hear more on this, great topic.

 

[tdcour]

The reason I'm asking these questions is because I am in Kansas at about 1300' elevation. I'll be hunting in NW NM for elk in September and am just wondering how much my setup will change between the two locations. It will we low humidity and high elevation (8000-9000) in NM, so I'm thinking that moving from medium to high humidity and low elevation could be a relatively big jump. The other day when I was shooting, the relative humidity was roughly 80% which is about double what it normally is. I was hitting about 4-5" low at 50 yards which I thought was pretty extreme, but maybe that is how much it gets effected.

 

[micropterus79]

I wonder if the humidity factor is also affecting your string (could be both the physics of the arrow passing through more water vapor in the air in addition to the string). I am new to archery but I always heard water is your string's worsed enemy but we don't just pack up and quit hunting when its raining or when it's humid.

I'm with ivory on this one; great topic, looking forward to seeing more from folks that have had the opportunity to bow hunt over an array of environmental conditions.