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10 Great Weather Resources For Boaters
I've compiled a list, in no particular order, of some of the best weather tools online or in a smartphone app. Under each tool I've enumerated what can you can expect to find on each weather site. I hope this helps you in selecting one, two or more weather resources that are right for you and if you have some favorites now, perhaps a few more you might want consider. Accuweather Here you can get your current, hourly, weekend, extended and monthly forecast for your area. It also provides you with the chances for precipitation over a 24 hour period in blocks of 3 hours each. There are also Maps for: U.S.radar feeds with zoom capabilities U.S.satellite feeds with zoom capabilities showing cloud cover U.S.severe weather reads with zoom capabilities and a legend. It also shows lightening strikes and their frequency. news and videos of U.S. national interest a hurricane center with a map and the latest tracking information. current sea surface temperatures worldwide Aside: AccuWeather is also a free app download for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android featuring today's local forecast, 15 day local forecast, satellite map, videos and more. This is an excellent weather resource for boaters who have a smartphone. The Weather Channel This site features daily and hourly U.S. national, regional and local weather forecasts Marine forecasts with temperature, wind speed and direction, wave height and direction, sea surface temperature, sea state (calm, choppy, etc), relative humidity, visibility, etc. Maps showing U.S. current temperature, current weather, Doppler radar, infrared satellite and severe weather alerts. All maps are interactive and will bring you down to your local weather situation. Aside: The Weather Channel app is free and available for iPhone, Blackberry and Android smartphones. It has current, hourly, 36 hour and 10 day forecasts, beach forecasts, a satellite weather map of you area, severe weather reports, national, local and "must see video" center. Another great weather app for boaters who have a smartphone. Wunderground Just type in a location and you can get current/basic local weather information. A click on Maps and Radar will give you informational displays and data on: U.S.weather fronts severe weather alerts and warnings in your area NEXRAD animated radar readings for the US, Canada and Australia with information on storm tracks, total precipitation and severe weather satellite images of national and local cloud cover marine forecasts worldwide, showing water temperatures, wave heights and wind speeds. Aside: Wunderground has an free app for iPhone called Weather Quickie, but it's not as comprehensive as the website and I wouldn't rely on it for boating forecasts. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) This is perhaps to most comprehensive weather site of them all. Here you can get your basic weekly weather forecast by the location you select. Scroll further down the page and you'll find weather maps with Radar and Satellite Images. There's a regional radar map showing severe weather and flash flood warnings. satellite images map of the continental U.S. (color enhanced) Further down the page you'll find the National Digital Forecast Database which has weather data displayed in graphic fashion showing: an Hourly Weather Graph indicating 24 hours of temperature, wind, wind gusts, sky cover, heat index, potential thunderstorms and precipitation a Hazardous Weather Report for the reported area To the left of the National Digital Forecast Database you'll find two maps, one of Temperature Forecast, the other a Forecast Database Map where you can look up local and regional graphical displays of today's, tonight's and tomorrow's: possibility of precipitation temperature dew point wind speed and direction wind gusts sky cover relative humidity apparent temperature Aside: There is an app for iPhone from NOAA called Weather Alert USA that has received favorable ratings. As of this writing it costs $3.99. Marine Weather - NOAA This site features zone forecasts of the: North Atlantic North and Southeast Pacific Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Tropical Atlantic Alaska and North Pacific Central Pacific Within each zone you can view daily wind, wave and surface charts, typhoon, high wind and wave charts using satellite technology upper air charts National Hurricane = NOAA Center If you're tracking hurricanes, you'll find a lot of information on this site: a map showing active tropical storms, tracking information and analysis hurricane awareness and information about hurricanes in general with a briefing on such topics as preparedness, storm surges, FAQs about hurricanes and tropical weather and forecast models Passage Weather This site provides 7 day wind and weather forecasts useful to offshore mariners. The forecast charts are for every zone of the world and feature maps illustrating: surface winds 10 miles above sea level surface pressure visibility cloud cover precipitation wave height and direction Other Smartphone Weather Apps to Consider: Weather Bug for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. It's free and shows Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Come along with the author and his wife at the helm, in the cockpit, in the cabin, in the water. If you've never been there the author brings you along for the ride and if you have, you will surely recall and will relate to the mistakes and joys of those new, exhilarating experiences in a new bigger boat. |
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