Where do you get your weather information? Do you prefer the convenience of your local newspaper, radio, or TV stations? Perhaps the Weather Channel? Or, do you employ the technology of the internet or weather FAX? Is NOAA the source you use, right from your cockpit or nav table? Share your top weather sources here, and don't forget to vote in the week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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The Feds
NOAA...at home on my portable NOAA weather radio receiver, and on the boat with the VHF tuned to the NOAA channel forecasting our area. The reports are updated hourly and are reasonably accurate, which is important when sailing on a mountain lake. Things can change in minutes. The NOAA "storm alert" is a necessity. Dale Wile Sandpoint, Idaho
NOAA...at home on my portable NOAA weather radio receiver, and on the boat with the VHF tuned to the NOAA channel forecasting our area. The reports are updated hourly and are reasonably accurate, which is important when sailing on a mountain lake. Things can change in minutes. The NOAA "storm alert" is a necessity. Dale Wile Sandpoint, Idaho
Weather Channel Website...
...gives hour by hour predictions for most locales; they include wind speed. Good preliminary source for lake or coastal weather.
...gives hour by hour predictions for most locales; they include wind speed. Good preliminary source for lake or coastal weather.
Intellicast
When I'm in my office I look at intellicast to check out the weather. On the boat I leave the VHF tuned to weather alert so that it wakes up if there is something worth hearing about. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
When I'm in my office I look at intellicast to check out the weather. On the boat I leave the VHF tuned to weather alert so that it wakes up if there is something worth hearing about. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Multiple sources
I use multiple sources, NOAA weather on my hand held VHF, the weather channel on TV and the weather channel on the internet. I look at them all and take the best (just kidding).
I use multiple sources, NOAA weather on my hand held VHF, the weather channel on TV and the weather channel on the internet. I look at them all and take the best (just kidding).
Try Local sources
The university of Washington in the Puget Sound has an excellent weather site. http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/weather.html The Washington State Ferries post the winds on: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/Ferry/Ferryjs/mainframe1.htm
The university of Washington in the Puget Sound has an excellent weather site. http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/weather.html The Washington State Ferries post the winds on: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/Ferry/Ferryjs/mainframe1.htm
weather underground
the website weather underground is my source for both marine forcasts and updates on tropical storms. have not found a better site than this. the link is below.
the website weather underground is my source for both marine forcasts and updates on tropical storms. have not found a better site than this. the link is below.
Many sources.
We watch the Weather Channel all week long. We are hoping for an approaching LOW which gives us South winds on Lake Erie. Extended North winds around a HIGH can make for tough sailing. There are also two NOAA stations, one is a tower on an island the other a bouy about fifteen miles offshore. On Friday we can check the NOAA forecast on those sites. We can also see the recorded winds and wave heights to see how their forecasting went for the week. Finally we have a couple of web-cam sites where we can actually see the wave conditions before we leave home. Price you pay for being 90 miles from your boat. LINK below is the bouy. Web cams are at: http://www.lakevision.com/
We watch the Weather Channel all week long. We are hoping for an approaching LOW which gives us South winds on Lake Erie. Extended North winds around a HIGH can make for tough sailing. There are also two NOAA stations, one is a tower on an island the other a bouy about fifteen miles offshore. On Friday we can check the NOAA forecast on those sites. We can also see the recorded winds and wave heights to see how their forecasting went for the week. Finally we have a couple of web-cam sites where we can actually see the wave conditions before we leave home. Price you pay for being 90 miles from your boat. LINK below is the bouy. Web cams are at: http://www.lakevision.com/
Weather Sources
For Chesapeake Bay forecasts I check with intellicast at: http://www.intellicast.com/LocalWeather/ select the Baltimore link and get several satellite pictures, IR, visible etc. For weather closer to where I sail I check the weather at Thomas Point Light at: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=tplm2 I have an old RadioShack battery operated weather cube at home which is permanently tuned to NOAA weather and, of course, the same on the VHF aboard. Can we all ask NOAA to deep six the artifical voice. It is too hard to understand.
For Chesapeake Bay forecasts I check with intellicast at: http://www.intellicast.com/LocalWeather/ select the Baltimore link and get several satellite pictures, IR, visible etc. For weather closer to where I sail I check the weather at Thomas Point Light at: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=tplm2 I have an old RadioShack battery operated weather cube at home which is permanently tuned to NOAA weather and, of course, the same on the VHF aboard. Can we all ask NOAA to deep six the artifical voice. It is too hard to understand.
Recent Discovery
I use the local NOAA website at home and NOAA radio on the boat for weather and wind forecasts. But I also like to check the current conditions before heading to the boat. I use the local TV station website to check the traffic and general live cams, to get a visual picture of the weather before leaving. But recently I found a Washington State ferry website that gives the wind speed and direction, observed from the ferry's as they make their regular trips. It's a good graphical indication of wind conditions. Go to the link below to see it.
I use the local NOAA website at home and NOAA radio on the boat for weather and wind forecasts. But I also like to check the current conditions before heading to the boat. I use the local TV station website to check the traffic and general live cams, to get a visual picture of the weather before leaving. But recently I found a Washington State ferry website that gives the wind speed and direction, observed from the ferry's as they make their regular trips. It's a good graphical indication of wind conditions. Go to the link below to see it.
I have to be honest
I really really wanted to say NOAA but in all honesty, I only listen to it when on the boat. I just casually watch the weather on TV or sometimes check it on the web. Guess I'm not cool. :-( LaDonna
I really really wanted to say NOAA but in all honesty, I only listen to it when on the boat. I just casually watch the weather on TV or sometimes check it on the web. Guess I'm not cool. :-( LaDonna
"Multimedia" approach
Severe summer thunderstorms and strong winter cold fronts require real vigilance in central Florida. I usually check live Doppler radar from whichever source is available at the time (local TV, Weather Channel or internet) before leaving for the boat. While aboard, I keep an eye on the weather (cloud formations, jet vapor trails and prevailing wind direction) and check NOAA radio periodically if things look like they are going to deteriorate. Peter H23 "Raven"
Severe summer thunderstorms and strong winter cold fronts require real vigilance in central Florida. I usually check live Doppler radar from whichever source is available at the time (local TV, Weather Channel or internet) before leaving for the boat. While aboard, I keep an eye on the weather (cloud formations, jet vapor trails and prevailing wind direction) and check NOAA radio periodically if things look like they are going to deteriorate. Peter H23 "Raven"
New Web Site
In addition to NOAA weather and local tv sources, I use AccuWeather.com. You can set up your local page for your area and they give hourly predictions. They also will give wind and wave conditions.
In addition to NOAA weather and local tv sources, I use AccuWeather.com. You can set up your local page for your area and they give hourly predictions. They also will give wind and wave conditions.
TV weather radar gives best forecast.
Although I augment the TV weather forecasts with Internet and NOAA weather radio, I find the detail of the TV radar and satellite maps give me a better picture, so I can try to outguess the professional weather forecasters. They are right only 50% of the time. Weather forecasters almost always predict the movement of weather patterns. Very seldom do they allow for the creation or dissolving of weather patterns. I try to guess that from the weather maps, but only with very limited success. I don't plan to become a weather forecaster.
Although I augment the TV weather forecasts with Internet and NOAA weather radio, I find the detail of the TV radar and satellite maps give me a better picture, so I can try to outguess the professional weather forecasters. They are right only 50% of the time. Weather forecasters almost always predict the movement of weather patterns. Very seldom do they allow for the creation or dissolving of weather patterns. I try to guess that from the weather maps, but only with very limited success. I don't plan to become a weather forecaster.
Intellicast
I use the Intellicast service off the Net. The Sailcast screen gives wind direction and strength for up to 36 hours in advance. The Nexrad radar summary is supurb for tracking thunderstorms. Weather Underground is good for getting long-range forecasts for areas other than one's home port.
I use the Intellicast service off the Net. The Sailcast screen gives wind direction and strength for up to 36 hours in advance. The Nexrad radar summary is supurb for tracking thunderstorms. Weather Underground is good for getting long-range forecasts for areas other than one's home port.
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