The weekend has finally rolled around and it's time to scoop up the family, pack up the cooler, and head out to the boat. When you get to the marina you notice that the flags are standing out straight in the stiffening breeze and there are ominous clouds on the horizon. Are the weather gods speaking to you? Who's job is it to check the weather forecasts before you set sail? Do you regularly check the forecasts before heading to the boat or do you wait until you get there? And what are your favorite sources of weather info? Local radio? Newspaper? Internet weather sites? Or can you just switch on NOAA Weather Radio when you get to the boat? How often do you use these sources of weather information? More importantly, how accurate do you think they are for the areas you plan to sail in? Do weather forecasts ever keep you tied up at the dock? Tell us about your sources of weather information and how if affects your sailing plans and then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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I use a couple of sites...
the first is the SailFlow site which I have linked to below - the link is for my area, but you can select different areas, as well as the time offset to get the forecast wind for several hours in the future. Locally, I use the NOAA site http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/mil/ for my area. Unfortunately, neither is 100% reliable, and we have started voyages based on the promise of decreasing wind only to have it start to howl instead, and vise versa! On the other hand, several times when we were going to go to a destination south, we ended up going to a north destination instead based on the forecast winds, so on the whole, the information is helpful.
the first is the SailFlow site which I have linked to below - the link is for my area, but you can select different areas, as well as the time offset to get the forecast wind for several hours in the future. Locally, I use the NOAA site http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/mil/ for my area. Unfortunately, neither is 100% reliable, and we have started voyages based on the promise of decreasing wind only to have it start to howl instead, and vise versa! On the other hand, several times when we were going to go to a destination south, we ended up going to a north destination instead based on the forecast winds, so on the whole, the information is helpful.
Listen to the VHF, look at the radar
I always listen to both the Cdn and US weather reports on the VHF as soon as I get on the boat. Before I go, I look at the radar for our area on the NEXRAD system, linked here.
I always listen to both the Cdn and US weather reports on the VHF as soon as I get on the boat. Before I go, I look at the radar for our area on the NEXRAD system, linked here.
On-Line Weather Info
We're fortunate in that there is a NOAA weather data site at our marina; it is easy to call it up , get wind direction & speed , tide, barometric pressure, water and air temperature on: tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/geographic.html; then of course, the daily weather check before we leave home on : weather.com; and the last and maybe most problematic is the radio check inour slip as we warm up the diesel. We refer to that as the 'weather liar' -- draw your own conclusions.
We're fortunate in that there is a NOAA weather data site at our marina; it is easy to call it up , get wind direction & speed , tide, barometric pressure, water and air temperature on: tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/geographic.html; then of course, the daily weather check before we leave home on : weather.com; and the last and maybe most problematic is the radio check inour slip as we warm up the diesel. We refer to that as the 'weather liar' -- draw your own conclusions.
UK Weather
We do not have the same weather service. The main source is the Met Office Inshore Forecast. I am in the area "Lands End to St David's Head including the Brisol Channel". However, this is a very large area, from the Atlantic approaches into a long and large estuary. Accuweather provide a sailing forecast for the Severn Estuary, which is north and more sheltered from where I am. The real weather is often somewhere between the two. I have actually found that the best forecast is my own, taken from the downloaded and printed charts. This tells me where I fall between the two forecasts mentioned above. The other useful one is the USAF in Europe, which provides wind charts and usefully shades anything over 15 knots. Since these are done for every 6 hours out to about 48 hours, they give a very good picture of any major winds. For anyone else who sails in the area, I collected together and organised the links to weather and tides for my part of the Bristol Channel and put them on my web site at http://www.aspen.uk.com/index.cfm?PID=96 and http://www.aspen.uk.com/index.cfm?PID=105 for the quick check. This latter one allows me to very quickly check the details. I usually copy and paste the relevant bits of forecast into a document, print it, put it in a plastic wallet and take it with me - even if I am just going for a sail up the River Parrett.
We do not have the same weather service. The main source is the Met Office Inshore Forecast. I am in the area "Lands End to St David's Head including the Brisol Channel". However, this is a very large area, from the Atlantic approaches into a long and large estuary. Accuweather provide a sailing forecast for the Severn Estuary, which is north and more sheltered from where I am. The real weather is often somewhere between the two. I have actually found that the best forecast is my own, taken from the downloaded and printed charts. This tells me where I fall between the two forecasts mentioned above. The other useful one is the USAF in Europe, which provides wind charts and usefully shades anything over 15 knots. Since these are done for every 6 hours out to about 48 hours, they give a very good picture of any major winds. For anyone else who sails in the area, I collected together and organised the links to weather and tides for my part of the Bristol Channel and put them on my web site at http://www.aspen.uk.com/index.cfm?PID=96 and http://www.aspen.uk.com/index.cfm?PID=105 for the quick check. This latter one allows me to very quickly check the details. I usually copy and paste the relevant bits of forecast into a document, print it, put it in a plastic wallet and take it with me - even if I am just going for a sail up the River Parrett.
Grib
In the Caribbean I got grib files from saildocs by sending an email to: query@saildocs.com and sent the following text: send grib:8N,34N,100W,54W|2,2|00,24,48|PRMSL,WIND This got 3 days of GRIB wind and pressure for the lat/long coordinates: 8N,34N,100W,54W. Of course as many have mentioned, it was sometimes wrong. One problem was it only gave intervals of 24 hours. Another source for grib files with six hour intervals was: email: gmngrib@globalmarinenet.net and there you put in the Subject line: Caribbean 3day And of course you need a way to send/receive email and view the grib files to use these.
In the Caribbean I got grib files from saildocs by sending an email to: query@saildocs.com and sent the following text: send grib:8N,34N,100W,54W|2,2|00,24,48|PRMSL,WIND This got 3 days of GRIB wind and pressure for the lat/long coordinates: 8N,34N,100W,54W. Of course as many have mentioned, it was sometimes wrong. One problem was it only gave intervals of 24 hours. Another source for grib files with six hour intervals was: email: gmngrib@globalmarinenet.net and there you put in the Subject line: Caribbean 3day And of course you need a way to send/receive email and view the grib files to use these.
Try the Coast Guard
The NOAA weather forecasts are ok - but we've had a bitter experiance with relying on them to the exclusion of common sense! We are subject to sudden squalls where we are on the Great Lakes. About the only clear indication of approaching "disaster" is a cloud front moving in (VERY quickly!) Monitoring the NOAA weather MAY warn you - but it usually lags behind the actual weather. In this particular case, the radio was saying that the "front" was off Toledo, and we got "socked" off Vermilion about 50 miles away! We have since found that a call to our local Coast Guard station (in Lorain) will give us a more accurate picture of the weather - since they monitor calls describing the actual front. Much more timely and accurate! Bill on STARGAZER
The NOAA weather forecasts are ok - but we've had a bitter experiance with relying on them to the exclusion of common sense! We are subject to sudden squalls where we are on the Great Lakes. About the only clear indication of approaching "disaster" is a cloud front moving in (VERY quickly!) Monitoring the NOAA weather MAY warn you - but it usually lags behind the actual weather. In this particular case, the radio was saying that the "front" was off Toledo, and we got "socked" off Vermilion about 50 miles away! We have since found that a call to our local Coast Guard station (in Lorain) will give us a more accurate picture of the weather - since they monitor calls describing the actual front. Much more timely and accurate! Bill on STARGAZER
WX
I've become my own weather forecaster. The sources of data that the pro's use is now available online to anyone who wants it. You can take your pick of weather models, just like the guy on TV does. Radar and satellite coverage, together with where the isobars are lining up pretty much give you a pretty accurate picture of what to expect. I love having all these data and doing it myself!
I've become my own weather forecaster. The sources of data that the pro's use is now available online to anyone who wants it. You can take your pick of weather models, just like the guy on TV does. Radar and satellite coverage, together with where the isobars are lining up pretty much give you a pretty accurate picture of what to expect. I love having all these data and doing it myself!
A Few choices
Being the skipper it's generally my responsibility to check the weather. But I do ask the other crew members what they've heard about the weather. They now look at reports as well. I view the National Weather Services post for NY Harbor - a link off boatersbox website. I will also look at the weather channels site. While on the water I monitor the weather via radio. The last is the most important - last year we had a water funnel chasing us out of Port Jefferson, NY ( LI Sound ). If it weren't for the current updates, we would have just thought it was a overcast day, with light showers...
Being the skipper it's generally my responsibility to check the weather. But I do ask the other crew members what they've heard about the weather. They now look at reports as well. I view the National Weather Services post for NY Harbor - a link off boatersbox website. I will also look at the weather channels site. While on the water I monitor the weather via radio. The last is the most important - last year we had a water funnel chasing us out of Port Jefferson, NY ( LI Sound ). If it weren't for the current updates, we would have just thought it was a overcast day, with light showers...
Internet, then NOAA
I check the internet before I leave home and the VHF while underway. Since we don't go offshore, the local, land forecasts pretty much give us what we need.
I check the internet before I leave home and the VHF while underway. Since we don't go offshore, the local, land forecasts pretty much give us what we need.
I check NOAA on the internet, but my
favorite is Surfline, get a camera stream lookin' right at my marina & pretty good wind predictions. Might want to check it for a surfbeach near you, also Watch The Water has live streams from different spots. Below is Catalina Harbor. http://www.watchthewater.org/beach_images.cfm?bid=46
favorite is Surfline, get a camera stream lookin' right at my marina & pretty good wind predictions. Might want to check it for a surfbeach near you, also Watch The Water has live streams from different spots. Below is Catalina Harbor. http://www.watchthewater.org/beach_images.cfm?bid=46
What I do, based upon the advise ...
of our local meteorologist, is the following: 1. Weather plan two days before trip: o Check overall weather pattern. o Check projected weather next two days. 2. One day before trip: o Check current weather to evaluate accuracy of previous day’s forecast. o Check overall weather pattern. o Check projected weather for next two days. o If high winds, thunderstorms possible, check updates every six to eight hours. 3. Day of trip: o Check current weather to evaluate previous day’s forecast. o Check projected weather for trip. o Make go/no go decision based upon current forecast, the track record of earlier forecasts, your personal experience, experience and comfort level of your crew, and the capabilities of your vessel. I use http://www.wunderground.com to do the above with follow-ups once I get on the boat. Terry
of our local meteorologist, is the following: 1. Weather plan two days before trip: o Check overall weather pattern. o Check projected weather next two days. 2. One day before trip: o Check current weather to evaluate accuracy of previous day’s forecast. o Check overall weather pattern. o Check projected weather for next two days. o If high winds, thunderstorms possible, check updates every six to eight hours. 3. Day of trip: o Check current weather to evaluate previous day’s forecast. o Check projected weather for trip. o Make go/no go decision based upon current forecast, the track record of earlier forecasts, your personal experience, experience and comfort level of your crew, and the capabilities of your vessel. I use http://www.wunderground.com to do the above with follow-ups once I get on the boat. Terry
NOAA
Hello, I will check the NOAA and a few other places before I get to the boat. I will check the marine forecast, general forecast, etc. I have learned not to trust any of them. This past Saturday the forecast for the evening / night was light winds (5-10 mph) moving from the NW to SW. What really happened wghen I got on the boat at 5:30 was light winds from the NE until about 6:30 when the wind moved to the south. Then in about 30 seconds the wind moved 180 degrees to the NNW and picked up to 10, then 15, then 20 kts. I certainly was not prepared for that! A little later (had my hands full reducing sail and managing the boat) I turned on the WX radio, and the NEW forecast was for N wind 15-25 kts through the night. I learned that sometimes the weather forecast comes after the weather does! Barry
Hello, I will check the NOAA and a few other places before I get to the boat. I will check the marine forecast, general forecast, etc. I have learned not to trust any of them. This past Saturday the forecast for the evening / night was light winds (5-10 mph) moving from the NW to SW. What really happened wghen I got on the boat at 5:30 was light winds from the NE until about 6:30 when the wind moved to the south. Then in about 30 seconds the wind moved 180 degrees to the NNW and picked up to 10, then 15, then 20 kts. I certainly was not prepared for that! A little later (had my hands full reducing sail and managing the boat) I turned on the WX radio, and the NEW forecast was for N wind 15-25 kts through the night. I learned that sometimes the weather forecast comes after the weather does! Barry
Agree with Stu and Bill
Sure I always check the NOAA and/or Environment Canada forecast either on line or on my VHF before going out. However, their forecasts cover a broad area, and we have many microclimates where winds get either blocked or accelerated. It's also been my observation that they forecast a worst case scenario. If it might blow 25 knots anywhere in the forecast area on Tuesday, small craft warnings will be up for Tuesday. In your locale it might only blow 10 or 15 and you'd miss a great day's sailing if you stayed home based on "crafters" in the forecast. Listen to the forecast, check local conditions and ACTUAL observations at various points, and make your own decision based on what you're actually seeing. Also be prepared to deal with worse conditions if they develop. Just my opinion. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Sure I always check the NOAA and/or Environment Canada forecast either on line or on my VHF before going out. However, their forecasts cover a broad area, and we have many microclimates where winds get either blocked or accelerated. It's also been my observation that they forecast a worst case scenario. If it might blow 25 knots anywhere in the forecast area on Tuesday, small craft warnings will be up for Tuesday. In your locale it might only blow 10 or 15 and you'd miss a great day's sailing if you stayed home based on "crafters" in the forecast. Listen to the forecast, check local conditions and ACTUAL observations at various points, and make your own decision based on what you're actually seeing. Also be prepared to deal with worse conditions if they develop. Just my opinion. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Weather
Having gone through the Navy flight program in 1955 I still remember(and believe)the Meterology course instructor's opening statement; "Gentlemen, weather forecasting in NOT an exact science!" It certainly is better now than it was back then but IMHO it is still a far cry from being an exact science. In my list of "Favorites" on AOL there are about 15 weather sites that I routinely cross-check before casting off all lines or pulling the chocks.
Having gone through the Navy flight program in 1955 I still remember(and believe)the Meterology course instructor's opening statement; "Gentlemen, weather forecasting in NOT an exact science!" It certainly is better now than it was back then but IMHO it is still a far cry from being an exact science. In my list of "Favorites" on AOL there are about 15 weather sites that I routinely cross-check before casting off all lines or pulling the chocks.
I go with my instinct
I learned how to intuit the weather from the experts -- the watermen of my community. I was brought up on boats and the water, and learned to read the signs that Nature provides for all who are willing to take notice. Weather behavior is fairly predictable for each given season, and I find that my "educated guesses" are far more reliable than anything available over the airwaves or through the Internet. My skills aren't perfect by any means, just more reliable since I'm personally involved, or "in the moment", during each running conclusion/forecast.
I learned how to intuit the weather from the experts -- the watermen of my community. I was brought up on boats and the water, and learned to read the signs that Nature provides for all who are willing to take notice. Weather behavior is fairly predictable for each given season, and I find that my "educated guesses" are far more reliable than anything available over the airwaves or through the Internet. My skills aren't perfect by any means, just more reliable since I'm personally involved, or "in the moment", during each running conclusion/forecast.
Multiple sources
I use two NOAA websites for primary meteorological information. NOAA Aviation Weather: http://aviationweather.gov/ Oriented primarily to aviation interests it has prognosis charts and an abundance of other information. nowCOAST: http://www.nowcoast.noaa.gov/default.htm Designed for marine use and based on GIS systems. I like the ability to layer data onto the maps with radar and GOES data. Also gives the numerical data behind the stations. The WX VHF broadcasts are usually cover too broad an area and are not really useful for longer range planning. My other source is experience of sailing on the Bay but that hasn't always saved me from wet or stormy experiences.
I use two NOAA websites for primary meteorological information. NOAA Aviation Weather: http://aviationweather.gov/ Oriented primarily to aviation interests it has prognosis charts and an abundance of other information. nowCOAST: http://www.nowcoast.noaa.gov/default.htm Designed for marine use and based on GIS systems. I like the ability to layer data onto the maps with radar and GOES data. Also gives the numerical data behind the stations. The WX VHF broadcasts are usually cover too broad an area and are not really useful for longer range planning. My other source is experience of sailing on the Bay but that hasn't always saved me from wet or stormy experiences.
Here is how...
... weather is predicted/reported for the Chesapeake Bay. All the weather weenies chipped in and bought a cell phone that they gave to one of their retirees. He was told to stand on the highest hill in West Virginia and report the observed weather every hour. Bingo. An hour later that weather is over the Chesapeake. Keep it simple.....
... weather is predicted/reported for the Chesapeake Bay. All the weather weenies chipped in and bought a cell phone that they gave to one of their retirees. He was told to stand on the highest hill in West Virginia and report the observed weather every hour. Bingo. An hour later that weather is over the Chesapeake. Keep it simple.....
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