A method and apparatus for detecting variations in the forward wireless channel in a wireless communication system. A plurality of reverse channel estimates in a reverse wireless channel are monitored, and a rate of change is measured between the plurality of reverse channel estimates in the reverse wireless channel. A rate of change in the forward wireless channel is estimated from the rate of change between the plurality of reverse channel estimates in the reverse wireless channel. If the estimated rate of change in the forward wireless channel exceeds a threshold, an update of a steering matrix is initiated.