Where would be the best place on the web to get radar maps, weather reports, weather maps, wind speed reports, etc? Anyone have a favorite site?
weather reports - maps - info
- Thread starter Donald6441
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weather data
I use http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/ccus.html It does not forecast the weather, it has weather maps and radar images. I prefer to read the information and come to my own conclusions. Sailing is my responsibility and NOAA is wrong as much as they are right. I can't do any worse. Jim
I use http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/ccus.html It does not forecast the weather, it has weather maps and radar images. I prefer to read the information and come to my own conclusions. Sailing is my responsibility and NOAA is wrong as much as they are right. I can't do any worse. Jim
I challenge you
I challenge you to go one on one against the NWS. Every day you prepare a forecast for your area. Don't look at the NWS forecast. Make your forecast on your own. After you make your forecast, write down the NWS forecast. Then compare.
I challenge you to go one on one against the NWS. Every day you prepare a forecast for your area. Don't look at the NWS forecast. Make your forecast on your own. After you make your forecast, write down the NWS forecast. Then compare.
Buzzard Bay weather info
Here's a link to the site I use for weather information in the Buzzard's bay area.
Here's a link to the site I use for weather information in the Buzzard's bay area.
weather guestimates
I'm pretty good on the weather, it's not all that hard to tell what the day will be like, so I'd say Jim could do as well as the nws. Granted, most 'home' forcasting is only for the local area, but when the weather stations cover very broad areas, I need to know MY area. since I work outside, and most of my actvities are outside, I need to know the weather, and my accuracy for where I am is pretty much right there with the nws on a statewide basis. Many times I'd have been stuck with all the equipment out getting soaked, or staying home on a nice day if I'd have listened only to the nws. Michigan has strange weather patterns, I've worked in sunshine when there's been a downpour accross the street, and driving up 131 between rockford and Grand rapids, it's 'normal' to run into drenchers that are maybe 20 to 50 feet wide, just wide enough to turn on the wipers, and you're back in the sun. ken.
I'm pretty good on the weather, it's not all that hard to tell what the day will be like, so I'd say Jim could do as well as the nws. Granted, most 'home' forcasting is only for the local area, but when the weather stations cover very broad areas, I need to know MY area. since I work outside, and most of my actvities are outside, I need to know the weather, and my accuracy for where I am is pretty much right there with the nws on a statewide basis. Many times I'd have been stuck with all the equipment out getting soaked, or staying home on a nice day if I'd have listened only to the nws. Michigan has strange weather patterns, I've worked in sunshine when there's been a downpour accross the street, and driving up 131 between rockford and Grand rapids, it's 'normal' to run into drenchers that are maybe 20 to 50 feet wide, just wide enough to turn on the wipers, and you're back in the sun. ken.
it depends
It depends on whom you trust, what's available, and where you are. Underway, NOAA weather radio (vhf), is cheap and easy. Elsewhere, NOAA's still the best bet, unless you have hard facts to support another service which does better. NOAA/NWS/EMC (NOAA organizations) track how well its numerical models perform. So do other agencies (U.S. and foreign.) There are other services (commercial et al) in business. For real time winds, if you're in the Chesapeake area, it's hard to beat the Chesapeake Bay Observing System http://www.cbos.org/ . You may want to check for local services on the body of water you frequent. For real time radar, NOAA pretty much has the corner on the market, most other services you view, viz t.v., are value added onto NOAA's service. However, for real time weather support there's nothing that beats the MK-I eyeball, eyes, and brain. Best way to improve the brain's weather skills is to get out there on the water. two cents
It depends on whom you trust, what's available, and where you are. Underway, NOAA weather radio (vhf), is cheap and easy. Elsewhere, NOAA's still the best bet, unless you have hard facts to support another service which does better. NOAA/NWS/EMC (NOAA organizations) track how well its numerical models perform. So do other agencies (U.S. and foreign.) There are other services (commercial et al) in business. For real time winds, if you're in the Chesapeake area, it's hard to beat the Chesapeake Bay Observing System http://www.cbos.org/ . You may want to check for local services on the body of water you frequent. For real time radar, NOAA pretty much has the corner on the market, most other services you view, viz t.v., are value added onto NOAA's service. However, for real time weather support there's nothing that beats the MK-I eyeball, eyes, and brain. Best way to improve the brain's weather skills is to get out there on the water. two cents
Big Difference
There is a big difference between preparing your own forecast from scratch and massaging the NWS forecast. Most of us take the NWS forecast and try to make adjustments on our local conditions. For example, the winds on the part of the lake I sail will always be greater than the NWS foreast and the wind direction will tend to align itself with the lake. As a long retired meteorologist I frequently try to improve. My guess is that I make it worse as often as I make it better. I would still challenge anyone to try to do better than the NWS. Use whatever of their products you want except for the actual forecast for conditions at the location you are interested in. After you make your forecast, write down your forecast and the NWS forecast. Now verify your forecasts for the forecast period. I would recommend a three day forecast. Max and min temperatures, winds, clouds, precipitation. Just to keep it honest, I recommend you use a weather station which keeps records for your verification. Just for our entertainment, I recommend that you publish your forecast, the NWS forecast and the actual weather in this forum. I guarantee you, you will lose.
There is a big difference between preparing your own forecast from scratch and massaging the NWS forecast. Most of us take the NWS forecast and try to make adjustments on our local conditions. For example, the winds on the part of the lake I sail will always be greater than the NWS foreast and the wind direction will tend to align itself with the lake. As a long retired meteorologist I frequently try to improve. My guess is that I make it worse as often as I make it better. I would still challenge anyone to try to do better than the NWS. Use whatever of their products you want except for the actual forecast for conditions at the location you are interested in. After you make your forecast, write down your forecast and the NWS forecast. Now verify your forecasts for the forecast period. I would recommend a three day forecast. Max and min temperatures, winds, clouds, precipitation. Just to keep it honest, I recommend you use a weather station which keeps records for your verification. Just for our entertainment, I recommend that you publish your forecast, the NWS forecast and the actual weather in this forum. I guarantee you, you will lose.
Dan...
Dan... I was wondering if I'd get some NOAA/ex-NOAA interest with my post...just before yours. I work for NOAA and am an ex-Arkansan. Still miss the state. ...Rich
Dan... I was wondering if I'd get some NOAA/ex-NOAA interest with my post...just before yours. I work for NOAA and am an ex-Arkansan. Still miss the state. ...Rich
Rich
I was in the process of writing when you posted yours. I believe there are some other forecasts out there which can beat NWS for some very tailored forecasts. I personally use a combination of Intellicast and www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/index.php. I dispute that any individual can beat the NWS.
I was in the process of writing when you posted yours. I believe there are some other forecasts out there which can beat NWS for some very tailored forecasts. I personally use a combination of Intellicast and www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/index.php. I dispute that any individual can beat the NWS.
Was a Forecaster
I retired from the Air Force as a meteorologist in 1979 and then went into engineering for various companies. For some reason I am not seeing the link that allows response by e-mail.
I retired from the Air Force as a meteorologist in 1979 and then went into engineering for various companies. For some reason I am not seeing the link that allows response by e-mail.
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