Windfinder

[All U Get]

Hi all,

We've been using Windfinder and NOAA as we are traveling back to Maine. We're in Long Island Sound and the forecasts show 3-4 foot seas from the south on Windfinder but the wind is from NE, E, and NW over the next few days. I'm at a loss to figure out how that can be since Windfinder is so reliable everywhere else. Of course NOAA says 1 foot or less for that same time period. Maybe some of the L.I. sailors could shed some wisdom here?

All U Get

 

[AnsleyS]

Dear All,

The waves from the south are from a low pressure system that is off shore, south of Nova Scotia. Your winds are from the next low moving through which is right behind you (don't look back).

Check this out for the overview.

http://www.wunderground.com/wunderm...&dir=0&ads=0&tfk=0&fodors=0&ski=0&ls=0&rad2=0

 

[mbowser]

I have been using Windfinder for several years and while I really like it, I have accidentally reversed the wind icons which has caused some issues when I'm planning a sail. There is a setting (at least on the android app) that allows you to invert wind arrows. Not sure if that's the issue or just plain bad data for the stations your looking at.

 

[RobG]

I've used Sailflow for a few years

They are pretty accurate but I always compare against several other sources. Currently the models show Easterlies in the singles/low teens until a turn Thursday PM to the west through Sunday. Shows a few waggles to the southwest for sea-breeze influences each afternoon. After tomorrows front the weather looks great until Tuesday but you'll be running most of the time.

Prolonged north-easterlies or south-westerlies in the mid teens and up are what stir up the waves on the sound since they channel in each end and are with the longest fetch and can be against the current. Not likely to get 3-4 foot waves with a south wind unless it's really cranking and your near the CT coast.

Wave info near real time here: http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/clis_wave.html


Enjoy your cruising!
Rob

 

[Gunni]

AUG:
When you see this kind of stuff you should check the offshore beacons south of you - it will blowing from the south like stink down Maryland way tonight. All that wave action comes north.

 

[shemandr]

Wave info near real time here: http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/clis_wave.html[/url[/QUOTE] Cool site!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I use the "Earth Wind Map" site for realtime winds. It's simple to use with zoom-in/out & anywhere on the planet. Just click on a spot & get the wind speed & direction.

CR

http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=168.27,16.10,440

 

[All U Get]

We were pleasantly surprised to have NOAA be correct and Windfinder was a little off, first time. Long Island Sound was almost flat Friday until the tide changed and then we were already behind Fishers Island dropping anchor. Made Saturday from Stonington to Provincetown, Ma with about the same conditions. Sunday was also quiet as we made 95 miles to Falmouth, Me. NOAA and Windfinder agreed on the last two days. Home for the summer after 8 months aboard.

All U Get

 

[All U Get]

They are pretty accurate but I always compare against several other sources. Currently the models show Easterlies in the singles/low teens until a turn Thursday PM to the west through Sunday. Shows a few waggles to the southwest for sea-breeze influences each afternoon. After tomorrows front the weather looks great until Tuesday but you'll be running most of the time.

Prolonged north-easterlies or south-westerlies in the mid teens and up are what stir up the waves on the sound since they channel in each end and are with the longest fetch and can be against the current. Not likely to get 3-4 foot waves with a south wind unless it's really cranking and your near the CT coast.

Wave info near real time here: http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/clis_wave.html


Enjoy your cruising!
Rob

Thanks Rob, great info.

All U Get

 

[tommays]

I am glad you got home when you did because we had NOTHING 6/7 ,6/8 , 6/ 9 and the week just looks for crap

But anyway on the LIS winds from the south and north tend to become a net ZERO

The best stuff is when the southerly has enough power to make it all the way across to the sound

The North West winds are nice to BUT they almost always die at sundown were a good south wind can last 24 hours

 

[All U Get]

Was there ever a book on weather/Local Knowledge written for the East Coast? It would be worth its weight in stainless. We only traveled on the best weather from Key Biscayne and it took about ten weeks. A lot of that was tide dependent on the ICW with our 7 foot draft and 64 foot mast. We were outside part of the way when we could get out and back inside during the weather windows. We could have done better, but it was our first time traveling alone and only the second trip south. Learned a lot.

All U Get