Weather App

Here's my rule of thumb:

TV weather: Should I wear more layers?

Wunderground, The Weather Channel sites/apps: What's on the RADAR?

For wind predictions, start with an app such as WindAlert (they've acquired a bunch of others). The quality of the forecasts from these apps varies by location, however, so check around with locals or just monitor a few for a while.

For the best forecasts, there are subscription services. These are definitely location sensitive, especially for a place with complex features (land/water/prevailing flows).

Most times, a combination of the first three is sufficient. When running important regattas in Newport, decisions on where to race (ocean vs bay) or whether (and how long) to postpone ashore can make the paid services invaluable.

Hope this helps.

Mike

SailFlow, there is a free smart phone app.

Not apps, but two of my favs:
https://www.windyty.com/
https://weatherspark.com/

Accuracy depends on the models they use as reference (and a lot of luck). Supposedly Windyt uses some kind of algorithm to create a mash-up of forecast models that increases accuracy.

Thanks Ding, I like that one. Thanks to everyone.

I have windfinder on my phone which is reasonably accurate (although they are generous on the windspeed forecast... usually about 5 mph faster than actual). They're based on local airport WX stations so they can give you an idea of what you'll see around that area.

I started using PredictWind but everyone got it wrong last weekend. They have free or pro version.

I used Sailflow a couple of years ago, until they improved it. Then it was worthless.
So, did they improve it.., really, or did they unimprove it?

Several mentions in this thread of WeatherFlow products (WindAlert, SailFlow), another local favorite is iWindsurf. As I mentioned above, they are related, and definitely have the similar look/feel, if not identical forecasts.

More info: http://www.weatherflow.com/consumer-products/

Makes me wonder how independent the others are?

In any case, no forecast or tool is 100% correct all of the time, and sometimes they are WAY off. The very best (usually paid) include a confidence level, and other things that might happen on a difficult day.

Mike

http://www.sailflow.com/ if you like it use it if you don't move on, there are a lot of options. I also use the NOAA site, http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/.

What do you use Rick?

a wet finger and weather eye.

haha I like Jay's

Actually, here in the Keys and at Put-in-Bay Wunderground has been extremely accurate.., storms plus or minus an hour than predicted, and winds very close in speed and direction.

Windguru Pro and this: