WindGuru?

[Clyde_Wanderer]

How do you guys rate this site for our local weather info?
Also is this the best/only page to view if using WG?
http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=328" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
C_W

[damo]

WindGuru is the best site I know of for round here at least - they consistently give the best predictions. The subscription service is supposed to be even more accurate.

[Mark]

How do you guys rate this site for our local weather info?
Also is this the best/only page to view if using WG?
http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=328" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
C_W

I rate WindGuru & find Metcheck pretty good too:
http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/HOBBIES/ ... ionID=1046" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, I also tend to try to get a better overview of what's happening as sanity check here:
http://www.meteonet.nl/aktueel/brackall.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks for that guys, those and other sites gives me something to make comparisons and probably still take the pesimistic outlook from.
I am not at all happy with the outlook for tomorrow (fri) for when we begin out west coast trip again departing from the Cumbrae centre and intending going through the Kyles to Tarbert or Portavadie first night before making for Ardrishaig on sat morn, "we'll see" watch this space!.

[cpedw]

I find it's at least as good as anything else for about 2 days. I find the 3 hourly detail fairly accurate most of the time. Like most other forecasts, it can be unreliable helping to decide on Monday what to do next weekend but at least it supplies a guess that far ahead.
Derek

[Gardenshed]

I use a couple of different sites on the following basis:

Ugrib for the big picture: Create an area setting for the North Atlantic and then you get a very good indication of the weather systems that are likely to come our way. The animated view makes it very clear

Met office is a good double check
XC weather is then a good way of seeing how this translates into more detailed local predictions

Windguru (Oban/Tiree) then gives even better local level details

I'm not looking for a guarantee on conditions, what I'm looking for is the likelihood of severe weather, the likelihood of severe wetness (from above) and any big transitions that may take place.

Beyond this, it is all about local/microclimates and either the flow from the gradient winds across the bumpiness that are Scottish Hills and Islands, and the temperature effects of heating the land and pushing against the gradient stuff.

Rule 1
Always pack yer oilies
Rule 2
Keep your eyes open for cloud movements (local showers/squalls) and signs of fronts etc coming through

For Clyde Coast sailing, you just sail with what you've got unless it is blowing a hoolie and even then, you've never far from shelter/safety

Further out west, the big picture may modify weekend plans, but only really severe wind or very heavy rain is likely to significantly impact plans.

There are more weather websites than you can shake a stick at, so before jumping around too much, think through what you reall y want to know:
Aviation sites: 5,000ft plus is where they aim to be accurate and surface effects are of less importance. Good for looking at big picture.
Aviation recording sites (i.e. airports) are key data inputs to most other weather models.
Very accurate in the 8-12 hour range, cos that's what pilots actually need/use to plan fights.
Public/General use sites: only confirm general trends, not much use
Windguru: It is for surfers. That's why the locations are usually surf/windsurf spots or beaches and except Tiree, they don't really care about the other places we go.

The data we have is much better than it has ever been but don't be deceived by digital madness, i.e. if the computer says 24.357kts of wind ... it'll be 22-27kts
If it says 341deg true, then the wind will be from the Nor' Nor' West

But is windguru good: Yes is serves a good purpose and serves it well

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks again guys, very informative.
C_w