Windy.com weather site

[MichaelB1969]

windy.com seems like a beautifully done representation of the weather, among other things. However, with waves, wind waves, and three different types of swells, it can get very confusing very fast.

Anyone care to share any best practices for how they decipher all this information, other than graduating with a meteorology degree?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[gaston]

windy.com seems like a beautifully done representation of the weather, among other things. However, with waves, wind waves, and three different types of swells, it can get very confusing very fast.

Anyone care to share any best practices for how they decipher all this information, other than graduating with a meteorology degree?

Thanks!
Mike

Watch the weather channel

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. MB. Pretty well the only times we refer to Windy is in anticipation of crossing the Gulf Stream. One does NOT venture into the GS if there is ANY wind from a north direction (ENE to WNW inclusive). This is a known fact by boaters on the east side of the US. I guess it comes from knowing the area you are boating in. I would be completely lost on the west coast where I have no idea of the wind patterns OR their effects on the Pacific.

If, for example it's been blowing from the north for a period of time there will be residual "snottiness" in the GS. Windy assists us in anticipating when it will or might be flat enough to cross BUT it is only one of several sources we use to check the weather and sea conditions.

 

[GoneFarrell]

MB,

There should be a vertical menu bar on the far right. That menu allows you to adjust which layers of stuff you want to see: wind, rain, radar, etc.

Play around with that for a while, it is only software and you can't break it!

There two more menu bars on lower right you can play with too.

And there is "tools/menu" under the 3 bars in the top left corner.

Amazing tool, get a beer or a cup of coffee and start pecking at it!

Interpreting the info is another story. I'd say start with what you know of local knowledge in the bay area and see how that compares to what you see on windy, extrapolate from there. You may find it is better at big picture stuff, and has gaps here and there, for example, wave heights/direction around Sausalito/Angel Island. That sort of info needs to go into your head with what you know of local tide effects, which are of course significant in your area.

 

[Ken E.]

We used Windy.com on our way down from Alaska this season, based on a tip from a friend. I was curious on how it compared with the Alaska and Canadian continuous vhf forecasts, and against actual observations. I didn't pay much attention to the on-sceen controls. I found the wind direction forecasts to be quite accurate but the wind speeds to be understated in most cases. The Canadians are the best around here for forecasting IMO, and they still have lighthouse sea state observations.

 

[Al]

We used Windy.com on our way down from Alaska this season, based on a tip from a friend. I was curious on how it compared with the Alaska and Canadian continuous vhf forecasts, and against actual observations. I didn't pay much attention to the on-sceen controls. I found the wind direction forecasts to be quite accurate but the wind speeds to be understated in most cases. The Canadians are the best around here for forecasting IMO, and they still have lighthouse sea state observations.

Windy is my overall go to site however, As Ken indicates, second opinion is a necessity. Ken mentions the Canadian forecast. I refer to it as "My Canadian" and he is the deal breaker. Given the forecast with SE winds, I can anticipate a six hour delay for what ever front to hit my home area. If the forecast is NW, we are in it but the Canadian will confirmed as to what is to follow . Simply stated, clear, not this or that, just a short synopsis of the weather. Here is the current information;

Dixon Entrance East - North Coast - Environment Canada

Note to readers- Mother's little boy Al is not going out to sea and play the next couple days!!

Al-Ketchikan

 

[MichaelB1969]

MB,

There should be a vertical menu bar on the far right. That menu allows you to adjust which layers of stuff you want to see: wind, rain, radar, etc.

Play around with that for a while, it is only software and you can't break it!

There two more menu bars on lower right you can play with too.

And there is "tools/menu" under the 3 bars in the top left corner.

Amazing tool, get a beer or a cup of coffee and start pecking at it!

Interpreting the info is another story. I'd say start with what you know of local knowledge in the bay area and see how that compares to what you see on windy, extrapolate from there. You may find it is better at big picture stuff, and has gaps here and there, for example, wave heights/direction around Sausalito/Angel Island. That sort of info needs to go into your head with what you know of local tide effects, which are of course significant in your area.

Yeah, I'm comfortable with the tool, but not the interpretation. Especially the multiple layers of swells and waves.