Weather

[dunn6253]

I figured I would start a new thread on this subject, because of all the talk of it in TM's small boat to the edge thread..........

What do you guys look for in the weather forcast? How early do you plan ahead for? For example, I want to head out on a thursday, and on monday I check NOAA and they are calling for SW 10-15, seas 3-5. Are you looking at the weather down south in florida, the carolinas, for upcoming storms? If you have any insight on how to read the weather, im sure it would help some of us out a lot........

One thing I learned recently, maybe you already knew this, but if the dew point is within four degrees of the temp, then there will be fog that day..........

So, what do you look for?

[sushi42]

Shouldn't you be a little more concerned with chicken wings today? Or did you allready satisfy that itch?

[OffTheHookB&T]

I usually check surrounding zones on NOAA to see if there is a pattern, sometimes our waters fall between fronts, so its nice to know what else is going on. Plus, no matter what NOAA says I have never seen a line in the water separating the different zones, I always seem to be on the 20-25kt side as opposed to the 10-15kt side.
Also, some capts got me using BuoyWeather.com, really good site.

[codfishshark]

for anyone that already doesnt know how check out this book by capt.carr. he was a prof of mine at maine maritime a great book for beginning to understand weather patterns and doing some prediction which is helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/International-...2815893&sr=8-3

but summertime is always difficult especially with the warm canyon water and cold air masses...but just a thought

[Big Fish Billy]

For my local area, Fingers, Flags, Prong, Cove, Platts, Pigeon Hill, NWC, etc.,

I use Isle of Shoals Lighthouse: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=IOSN3

Buoy 44005, 78 miles east of Portsmouth: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44005

Buoy 44013, 15 miles east of Boston:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44013

This buoy information gives past, present, and future forecasts (up to 5 or 6 days) for your area. I average all the information together and come up with a pretty good read as to what the weather will be. Naturally Summer thunderstorms have to be taken into consideration, conditions can go from flat to 6' in a few minutes time.

[backman]

I'm watching both the naval wind wave map for the entire atlantic as well as the naval pressure gradients for the upcoming 7 days. The pressure gradient maps I'm looking to the S and west to understand highs, lows and fronts. Obviously a big high and calm seas for 500 miles around the cape is the goal here

At 3-5 days I'm pretending fishweather, NOAA and general weather.com forecasts are real but I only take them seriously at 3 days/72 hr's. Again looking for seas 3' or less for 500 miles and a high sliding over the New York Bight.

48 hr's out its go/no go and the criteria for a canyon trip are the big high/ seas 2-3', light and variable forecast w/ perhaps a S/SW10-15 forecast for part of the 36 window I am targetting.

East is a lot more flexible; I have little concern about 10-15, seas 3-5s as long as I don't get 50 miles of SW 205 on the way home. Likewise if we ever get a bite in the Dump/Lanes again I'm not terribly concerned about 10-15/3-5. In both cases/short trips I can decide at 4 Pm the day before if crew is available.

[tomfrmnh]

Dunn,
Awesome thread. I was actually thinking about starting one on weather as well after reading the feedback on Dans thread. I am certainly no canyon fishermen but when I go out I check out everything that is available to me. NOAA is definitely a good start. Like Off the Hook says, that line between zones can be awful loose on most days. I start looking at the forecast surface progs (analysis charts) a couple of days out. Try intellicast.com for surface analysis and radar) I compare them to NOAA for some reassurance. Also, I think intellicast has one of the best real time radar sites (be careful with the term real time, it is updated every 15 mins but a lot can happen in 15 mins.) This is obviously not for you guys that are going deep! Be sure to check validity dates and times on all charts. I have missed that a couple of times, luckily it didn’t affect the outcome of my day. I am a recreational guy with a crazy schedule so long term forecasting is not something that I need to do. In my opinion anything over 3-4 days is 50/50 at best, but I am no expert. I would also like to hear what the professionals out there are using. I noticed that the OPC publishes a 500mb chart. Is anyone using this inconjuction with a lifting index? I don’t mean to derail your thread but this is an interesting topic.

[chumtini]

Once the boat splashes, I'm watching the weather ALL THE TIME. Bet y'all are too

1. wind
2. weather
3. tides
4. moon phase
5. SSTs
6. fish reports (just to see who might be around)

I rely on NOAAs NWS and OPC. Everything you could think of for weather usually starts at NOAA.

The big picture:
http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/pyaa02.gif

forecasts (text). Everyone reads these
http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=anz254
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...=300&map.y=201

This one's slick. I use it all the time. Note, it's considered experimental. But I find it quite reliable.
http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/box.php

Not sure about the forecast? Check the forecasters discussion. You may not be alone.
http://forecast.weather.gov/product....&highlight=off

And a must have...the SSTs at Ruetgers
http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=0

And another must have...the bouys http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Northeast.shtml

Virtual Bouy has a decent ocean forecast
http://www.buoyweather.com/wxnav6.js...E&program=Maps

The National Hurricane Center Now and then, you have to look.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Mount Washington Observatory...just for fun. I admit it. I'm a weather buf.
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/

And from time to time, the beach cams. Here's a good collection of links to cams
http://www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm

I have a bunch more. Anyone found any new/cool ones you like?

This one's cool. I picked it up from someone here. I forget who
http://magicseaweed.com/New-England-MSW-Surf-Charts/21/

[sjogren]

Chumtini
I have to either book mark this page or make sure i have your phone number!!!
Bookmarking will be better because off shore your phone wont work and you will be working your ass off!
Good info thanks!!

[Seaker]

I would only add one more thing to what Larry and Chum have put into this. Great info guys.

When I upgraded the portable GPS on the tower I also added XM Weather to the unit. I cannot stress enough how helpfull it has been especially when there are cells forming around you and you need to vector around them. It ahs more features than I can use all at once but it's great to look out and see a looming sky and then pan out and realize it's really nothing or it may be time to run like hell back to the barn

It's saved my bacon more than once and several on this board including LB will chime in. You can simply pan out over a very large area and get the info real time. If budget just will not allow it and you have cell coverage you can get live nexrad on your cell phone. Don't try this too far from shore as your mileage may vary