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Internet Wind and Weather Resources

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/27/2010 : 13:21:49

I figured we could trade some web resources for wind and weather. These are the ones I use.I have these set for the hourly prediction graphs for where I sail at but there are plenty more resources you can use for your own location. The first link shows what I have bookmarked and the second link is the root link so that you can look at all the different resources for each website.

http://www.windfinder.com/weatherforecast/heath_lake_ray_hubbard

http://www.windfinder.com

http://www.sailflow.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=118&siteID=367&Isection=Forecast+Graphs

http://www.sailflow.com

I also use accuweather on my Blackberry while sailing, they have some very nice Doppler radar maps. Theses maps have reassured me/saved me several times. they also animate.

Peter Powers
1979 TR/FK #1390
~Stephanos~
Bayview Marina,
Lake Ray Hubbard
Dallas, TX

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 14:02:46

I mostly use the NWS hourly point forecast.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.943035391587742&lon=-81.5625&site=jax&smap=1&marine=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=graphical

Edited by - on

SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 15:49:26

NWS Gridpoint (ref above) about 95% of the time. Wx radar in CO is a must (yes, even tho we're on inland lakes sometimes the crud hides behind the mountain ranges and tries to sneak up on you).

Otherwise, AccuWeather on the cellphone (aka Craic-berry) or SailFlow - tho wind prediction programs are pretty much useless on CO lakes.

Jim

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 18:37:14

http://windmapper.com/CW/observations

Great site with lots of detailed info. Click on the region of interest on the map in the upper left side and then on each individual arrow for detailed information and forecasts. I'm not sure where this guy gets his data, but his forecasts seem to be more accurate than anything else I've tried.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 19:00:03

I use Accuweather.com and Intellicast.com
If they don't agree I go to the old stand by NOAH!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 19:36:31

I just use the NOAA forecast for the central [url="http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=anz531"]Chesapeake Bay[/url]. It seems reliable enough, and the wind patterns seem to be fairly consistent across a wide area of many miles. I care mostly if there's any wind at all, and alternatively if there's too much wind.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5357 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 21:34:57

I've tried a lot of sites like sailflow and the commercial weather services, but the one I find good nationally and very locally is NOAA's www.weather.gov/OKX . I have mine set to go to OKX (greater NYC - LI Sound area), but you can set your map for your area.

I click on my location (Stratford Point), and I get a point forecast for that area (in my town, you can have a 10 degree temp difference from one end of town to the other).

Then I go to the "National Digital Forecast" maps at
http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/northeast.php?element=Wx
(this works for me, but you'd have to put in your own zip code)

In it, you can see the forecast for the next 7 days in 4 x 3 hour intervals. For example, for Friday, I can see what the wind will be doing region-wide, state-wide and locally at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, which works great for me. I can scroll through Friday day, Friday night, Saturday day, night . . . and get pretty good info for 2 to 3 days out.

I can also put that information together with apparent temperature, with sky cover, and with current for the area I will be sailing in using http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/

Then I go to http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/ for my charts, and I can print out my sailing ground, mark the times, the winds and the currents right on my print out.

You can't beat it - it takes a little homework - but you get the whole scene right there.

The only thing I miss while out on the water is the doppler radar map in real time. But, as iPhone users say "there's an APP for that!"

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 07:10:43

Wow, You guys sure do use a lot of hi-tech resources, I usually wet my finger and hold it up in the air then go sailing!

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 09:07:18

I use NOAA point forecasts too, but it was easier when a lot of people smoked and you could see the wind.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 13:52:06

I use all of these sites on my IPhone except WindMapper, thats a new one to me-thanks Bren. I also have a phone number to our local Sheriffs Harbor Patrol office with 24 hour weather recordings.
But sticking up a wet finger? I have not done that for over 20 years. In fact I probably dont even remember how to properly do that. Do you think the Coast Guard offers refresher courses?

Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5357 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 17:59:32

I got an "electronic wet finger" for Christmas, a hand-held anemometer. Works great. I will definitely use it at the dock before going out, as I've gotten started on trips down the river only to find after I unfurled the sails, the wind was way too strong, or way too weak.

While it may seem elementary to figure out whether breezes are too strong, when you're at the dock conditions seem less extreme that they really are, so having an objective measuring device can be correlated with unconfortable or unsafe conditions out on LI Sound.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 19:45:54

And because of sheltering, things often are more benign at the dock. There is usually a significant difference in wind at the top and bottom of your mast too.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 05:27:36

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KATL&state=GA

easier to read for me and quickly gives me a better understanding of cloud cover and overall conditions. Only three days out but it has been more accurate in the predictions than any other weather page I've used.

I also like this site for quickly getting an idea of what is going on overall.

http://www.surfingsports.com/weather.asp

The PAW pages are made for cell phones and small digital devices are good for the weather map but not wind. A weather connection when I am out that would work with the cell phone, a backup for the radio.

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/paw/

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 16:55:36

Agree, the wet finger works well. . . just better make sure which finger you're using, especially when around Coasties and the water cops!

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 20:27:08

I use the weather radio and Sailflow -- until I'm on the boat, then it boils down to common sense, visual observations, and instruments. I do love looking at Sailflow AFTER I have been out to hone in my observation skills.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2010 : 03:25:39

www.passageweather.com

sten

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2010 : 05:36:22

Here's a cool site

[url="http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/"]National Data Buoy Center[/url]

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2010 : 13:27:18

forgot about www.sailflow.com and www.wunderground.com for weather.

sten

Edited by - piseas on 02/01/2010 14:15:48

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2010 : 14:17:27

Sten, I use sailflow religiously. A first for underground, however. Hope you dont mind, I fixed the link.
Steve A

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2010 : 16:39:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Sten, I use sailflow religiously. A first for underground, however. Hope you dont mind, I fixed the link.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks... I was worried I accidently linked one of those sites Renzo told me about.

sten

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