I missed this thread first time around. I had a quick look at GE and see there are some 500 m hills about 6 nm NW of MPA. Are these the hills generating the "rotors"?
I have extensive experience of flying (in light aircraft, as well as an airline passenger) in the area immediately downwind of the Canadian Rockies. Closing airports in Alberta (or Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, for that matter) on the basis of forecast turbulence would cripple commercial air transport.
The description of the closure criteria at Maderia based on actuals seems eminently sensible.
Consequently, DDHs may be (are?) being overly risk averse.
It looks like a classic case of CYA.
Todays crew requested over the radio to continue, and assess the conditions for themselves, but were prohibited and turned back.
I wonder if the crew were tempted to declare a PAN based on "fluctuating oil-pressure"?
