Look to Windward
Well before going out, I use available internet sources over a period of days to get oriented to the general trend in the weather and to familiarize with weather systems and their characteristics and behavior over time. The global aspect of weather has variations from year to year and as the seasons progress. Closer to going out, I listen to and watch local reports gaining the perspective of the regional observers and, again, identifying trends. Once I am on the boat, it is NOAA Weather Radio that keeps me in check with what I cannot see over the horizon but there is no substitute for watching to windward and sailing according to what I can see. And if the onboard barometer begins to move on a beautiful clear day, I don't just sit looking at it wondering why it is doing that...
Well before going out, I use available internet sources over a period of days to get oriented to the general trend in the weather and to familiarize with weather systems and their characteristics and behavior over time. The global aspect of weather has variations from year to year and as the seasons progress. Closer to going out, I listen to and watch local reports gaining the perspective of the regional observers and, again, identifying trends. Once I am on the boat, it is NOAA Weather Radio that keeps me in check with what I cannot see over the horizon but there is no substitute for watching to windward and sailing according to what I can see. And if the onboard barometer begins to move on a beautiful clear day, I don't just sit looking at it wondering why it is doing that...