Do anyone know of a website or resource to find local sailing conditions such as wind and gusts speeds? I launch in the silver bay area in Toms River NJ if it helps.
Local Wind Speeds
- Thread starter SailingShawnee
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Don't know how much this will help but it is freaking cool! You can zoom in too.
http://hint.fm/wind/
http://hint.fm/wind/
I also use "wind alert" on my iPhone. It is updated ever hour.
You might check to see if there is a small airport near you. Almost all airports have a automatic weather brief that you can call into. Here, I can call the Venice, Fl AWOS and get up to the minute wind info. I use it a lot when racing.
You might check to see if there is a small airport near you. Almost all airports have a automatic weather brief that you can call into. Here, I can call the Venice, Fl AWOS and get up to the minute wind info. I use it a lot when racing.
Local clubs may have a weather station that is downloaded to the club's web site.
I refer to a local one that shows graphs of wind speeds so I check for trending : wind dropping or climbing, is it to windy for my interest.
It has been a decider if i will take the afternoon off from work or not
http://rkyc.nb.ca/weather
I refer to a local one that shows graphs of wind speeds so I check for trending : wind dropping or climbing, is it to windy for my interest.
It has been a decider if i will take the afternoon off from work or not
http://rkyc.nb.ca/weather
Higher than reported
I have been sailing in the Toms River - Forked River - Barnegat Bay region for twenty years now and have learned that the NOAA wind forecast is usually wrong and always on the low side. This applies to the direction and the wind speed. You can be at the dock with the winds howling in the rigging while the NOAA weather station in Atlantic City is reporting light winds under 10 knots. The prevailing winds are mostly from the South and can really kick up with the long fetch up the entire bay. On a usual day, the winds will be variable before noon and then set their final direction by 1 PM. The wind speed will be below 15 knots until 3 PM then head towards 20 and higher by 5 PM.
I have been sailing in the Toms River - Forked River - Barnegat Bay region for twenty years now and have learned that the NOAA wind forecast is usually wrong and always on the low side. This applies to the direction and the wind speed. You can be at the dock with the winds howling in the rigging while the NOAA weather station in Atlantic City is reporting light winds under 10 knots. The prevailing winds are mostly from the South and can really kick up with the long fetch up the entire bay. On a usual day, the winds will be variable before noon and then set their final direction by 1 PM. The wind speed will be below 15 knots until 3 PM then head towards 20 and higher by 5 PM.
I used to subscribe to iwindsurf.com but info was never very good for prediction, which is key for windsurfing. Nothing worse than running down to the coast only to get skunked.
One thing I learned real quick was that thermals in the spring/early summer were the best at Seaside Park / Toms River / Trixies. I would look for a prediction of south to southwest wind with hot afternoon temps.This loacation is where the thermal / venturi effect (where Barnegat Bay makes a slight bend and narrows slightly) is prime. Winds can be light all around and blowing 30 MPH past Seaside Park. At dusk, we had to get back to shore just before the wind shut down. I always thought it was the best windsurfing location in New Jersey.
One thing I learned real quick was that thermals in the spring/early summer were the best at Seaside Park / Toms River / Trixies. I would look for a prediction of south to southwest wind with hot afternoon temps.This loacation is where the thermal / venturi effect (where Barnegat Bay makes a slight bend and narrows slightly) is prime. Winds can be light all around and blowing 30 MPH past Seaside Park. At dusk, we had to get back to shore just before the wind shut down. I always thought it was the best windsurfing location in New Jersey.
Smart buoys in Bay
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS)
buoybay.noaa.gov
Amazing info
there is an app as well
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS)
buoybay.noaa.gov
Amazing info
there is an app as well
I find the general wind forecasts from NOAA, Wunderground, Accuweather, etc. to work pretty well. Once in a while I'll look at the mesonet data (look at the Wundermap), but it seems the topography here makes those relatively unreliable for wind conditions on the lake.
Ultimately, the best indicator is a (not presently working) web cam that points from our marina to the lake. It allows one to see boats and how they are sailing. Or not.
Also, a question- if a forecast says something like 10mph, it usually seems to me that this is something of an average, so that there will be gusts of 15mph and lulls as well. Would that be an accurate way to interpret this information?
Ultimately, the best indicator is a (not presently working) web cam that points from our marina to the lake. It allows one to see boats and how they are sailing. Or not.
Also, a question- if a forecast says something like 10mph, it usually seems to me that this is something of an average, so that there will be gusts of 15mph and lulls as well. Would that be an accurate way to interpret this information?
Unfortunately, there is not a relevant NOAA buoy on the East End of LI. The Montauk Sea Buoy can give us an idea of gradient wind but can't help with the seabreeze which is what we sail in. The Amagansett station has its own local conditions and can be quite different than what we see.
I like Sailflow but it doesn't have a station close enough to the New Sufflok sailing area. I asked repeated for them to find one or put one in. Their forecasts can be very good.
I'll look into weather underground.
I like Sailflow but it doesn't have a station close enough to the New Sufflok sailing area. I asked repeated for them to find one or put one in. Their forecasts can be very good.
I'll look into weather underground.
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