Good weather site - free or pay

[kevinmac]

I'm sorry, this information is probably already in these forums somewhere, but a quick search did not find it for me.

I am making a trip up the west coast of the U.S. next month, and I am looking for a good web site for weather forecast information. I know about the NOAA pages, but I find it hard to find what I am really looking for there. I found passagemaker here, and it is a good start, but it has surface pressure only, I am looking for surface weather analysis and prog charts (fronts, lows, highs, etc.).

I am going to do the trial on bouyweather to see if it has what I want.

I am happy to use a pay service if you can recommend one.

Thanks for your help, and sorry if this is a repeat question.

Kevin
Thanks for your help

[Viking Sailor]

Kevin, here are two links to weather sites that you may find helpful.

Oceanweather Inc: Current Marine Data

Wave Models - Weather Models (STORMSURF)

[kevinmac]

The stormsurf site completed what I need, thanks very much! -Kevin

[scotte]

There's a fellow in Santa Barbara that a couple of people have told me is really good with excellent local knowledge, though I haven't used him. I'll PM you his phone number when I can get it from the boat.

We just came up from Redondo Beach to the SF Bay, arriving Sunday. It was a bit of bumpy trip but we managed to just beat this storm in. I don't think I'd do a January trip without some really good weather data and forecasting, just my personal opinion. In our case, we have weatherfax aboard and a crewmember well versed in weather and with good local knowledge, or I probably would have hired someone.

[spencer53]

Originally Posted by Viking Sailor

Kevin, here are two links to weather sites that you may find helpful.

Oceanweather Inc: Current Marine Data

Wave Models - Weather Models (STORMSURF)

Just added stormsurf to my inventory. Thanks for pointing that one out!

[jamhass]

We've been very happy with both NOAA and Bouyweather. A VERY weather-conscious charter captain made a very austute observation. He noted that they often disagree, he bases his planning on the more pessimistic of the two, and hopes they converge before a decision must be made. He also notes that at least on the East Coast, Bouyweather seems to be a bit more accurate with their longer-term forecasts. The two use different long term computer models.

[Stranded Mariner]

Noonsite has a very comprehensive overview of weather sites for cruisers:

http://www.noonsite.com/General/Weather

[theonecalledtom]

I've often found that for southern California the surf reports carry better weather forcasts than the main news channels. wetSand.com > Home Page is a favorite.

If you go to your region and select the wind tab below the map you'll get a fairly clear overview of predicted conditions. Going to a surf site means you'll get a pretty good swell representation, including period and direction.

SoCal:
WetSand.com > Surf Reports > Southern California

[D.D.]

Also try SailFlow.com