INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER APPS
Our favourite weather forecast
The best weather app is always the one you are used to. You know how to read it and what it means for your local spot. However, sometimes it's good to mix it up and try something new - it could broaden your horizon and give you new tools in the toolbox.
There are a lot of different weather Apps out there, and each of them has their benefits. We are not always using the same Apps, but rather make it dependent on which spot we are at and which forecasting models work best there. Most of the time we use in fact a combination of different Apps to get the most accurate information.
However, there are a few Apps that we use more than others. At some spots it’s also easier to read the forecast than at other spots. Micro climates play a role, which is where local knowledge is invaluable. Sometimes it is enough to look at a wind map (usually open coast settings), sometimes we like to know about cloud cover or rain (spots where thermal activity influences the wind), sometimes even seemingly unrelated metrics such as temperature play a role in how to read the weather forecast. To understand how all those factors work together and how they influence each other, you need to know what drives the wind at your specific spot. Once you figured out if the wind at your local is a thermal wind or more of a frontal or trade wind, you can then choose the forecast metrics and model that suits your spot best.
In this blogpost we want to introduce you to some of the weather apps that we mainly use and give you an idea how they can be beneficial for you. This is not specific to New Zealand but applies wordwide.
Different forecast models:
First of all, you need to keep in mind that all weather forecasts, regardless if they tell you wind, rain or temperature, are exactly that – a forecast. They are computer models, that give you a prediction according to a specific algorithm. The accuracy of the forecast depends on the quality of the algorithm for your location and the specific weather data that goes into the algorithm. The main global forecasting models are GFS (the American model) and ECWMF (the European model). There is a few other smaller players such as SPIRE (a commercial model), ICON (German model) and UKMO (UK model). Each of those models has their strengths and weaknesses, some are better for wind, other better for temperature or rain. Some have a higher resolution but only predict a few days in advance, others show a longer range forecast but only at low resolution.
Different Apps:
Different Apps use different forecasting models as their base line. Most Apps can display more than one model, with some of them even using their own algorithm and creating their own forecast, based on the big global data models. To get a better idea of what’s going to happen with the wind during the day (or the weekend) ahead, we use a variety of different forecasting apps and see how they align. We also often look at live readings and watch current weather developments (i.e. is the wind increasing or dropping, is it swinging around,…?) on various local weather stations and work this information into the forecasts we are seeing.
Some models (PredictWind, Windy) have maps, where others show the data in a table (Windguru, PredictWind) or a graph (PredictWind). I often use the different display modes in combination with each other, as each of them shows you different aspects of the forecast. The map view gives a good overview of where the wind is and what it is doing on different spots. The graph or table shows how different forecasting models align on a specific spot.
We have no affiliation with any of those apps or websites. Most of them have a lot more features than what I’m going to describe here, this is just an overview to get you started.
PredictWind:
This is possibly our most used weather Apps. PredictWind has got a free forecasting model and a paid service. As it is one of our main tools, we opted for the paid service (it’s only $55.- / year). This gives us access to a variety of forecasting models (GFS, ECWMF, SPIRE, PWG, PWE) plus also access to a range of live webcams and live weather stations. The PWE and PWG model are based on the ECWMF and GFS respectedly, but include local weather patterns and have a very high resolution (up to 1km in certain areas!). That means you can suddenly see local thermals or similar local patterns that the big models don’t show.
I like looking at the map forecast as it tells me where the wind is and what it’s doing (i.e if it’s wrapping around a headland,….). It also shows me where I might find wind if there is none on my preferred spot. Once I figured out where the best place is according to the map I can then look at the table or graph for this specific spot to see if the forecast models align. This is also the point where I sometimes switch to a different App to confirm the forecast or to see different metrics.
Predictwind also has a lot of windmeters and webcams in various places, though they are only available to paid users. For us, they are invaluable to see how the wind develops.
Windguru:
For coastal sailing I often use Windguru as the second forecast. Once I narrowed it down to a specific spot, Windguru will tell me about waves and tide in a nice overview table. I’m sure there are better weather Apps for waves and tide (specific surf forecasts), but Windguru is just one I’m used to and that’s why it works for me. It’s got everything I need in one place: Wind speed and direction, wave height, direction and period, potential rain (is it gonna be squally?) and the tide. Seeing the temperature is a bonus, though it’s usually not the deciding factor for me as it never gets too cold where I sail in New Zealand.
Windy.app
Windy.app is a professional-grade weather application designed specifically with water and wind sports in mind. Whether you’re into windsurfing, wingfoiling, sailing, surfing, fishing, kitesurfing, paragliding, or just love spending time outdoors, Windy.app gives you many of the tools you need to plan your activities with confidence.
It sits neatly between Windguru and Windy.com (below) and can also provide years of wind history that usually reserved for paid services. Excellent for our Surfari Trip pages giving an indication on what to expect. We use the Windy.app forecast widgets on our detailed spotguides as they are clean and clear, exceptionally useful. And its all on their free tier.
Windy.app also offers a Premium membership, but so far I didn’t feel the need to explore what it offers.
Windy.com
Windy has a similar map view as what Predictwind offers, but Windy mainly uses the GFS and ECWMF model. Once you learn how to read it for your local spot, it might or might not work for you. I find it definitely better for coastal conditions than inland lakes, where a lots of local microclimates influence the wind. The big benefit of Windy.com is, that it gives you a huge amount of parameters to look at. If you are interested in anything else than just the wind forecast, it might be a very good tool for you.
Windy also has a range of weather stations giving you live wind readings as well as a range of webcams (different to the ones on PredictWind). In order to see them, you need to turn them on in your settings and zoom in.
All of that service is free. Windy.com also offers a Premium membership, but so far I didn’t feel the need to explore what it offers.
Wonderground:
Wonderground is a website with lots of private weather stations. Most of them are fairly useless for wind readings as they are mounted in peoples backyards (and most people are not very interested in wind readings), but they can be very handy to see the current temperature or rain (if that influences your spot). Please note that this is not a forecasting App but a website where you can see current weather readings.
The screenshot shows the temperature across Auckland on a summers day. You can see a temperature gradient across town, with hotter temperatures in the Northeast and cooler temperatures in the Southwest. Hot air will rise up, colder air gets sucked into its place – the principles of a thermal system. With a SW flow, you would expect a good SW seabreeze to start up soon.
Wonderground is a website with lots of private weather stations. Most of them are fairly useless for wind readings as they are mounted in peoples backyards (and most people are not very interested in wind readings), but they can be very handy to see the current temperature or rain (if that influences your spot). Please note that this is not a forecasting App but a website where you can see current weather readings.
The screenshot shows the temperature across Auckland on a summers day. You can see a temperature gradient across town, with hotter temperatures in the Northeast and cooler temperatures in the Southwest. Hot air will rise up, colder air gets sucked into its place – the principles of a thermal system. With a SW flow, you would expect a good SW seabreeze to start up soon.
Wave forecasting Apps:
Forecasting waves is a little bit more predictable than wind, as waves build and travel in a certain direction. They do get registered up by wave bouyes which feeds into the surf forecasts. There is a huge range of wave forecasts out there which (for a wave sailor) give you an idea what the swell is going to do.
Metrics of interest are:
- How big are the waves going to be
- How much energy do they have
- Is it the correct swell direction for the spot
- What’s the swell period
- Is there only one swell or are there several swells overlaying over each other, making the wave messy
I personally use Surf-forecast.com, but others like Magicseaweed, etc. will give you similar metrics. Again, use the forecast you are used to or try a few different ones until you find one you like.
Metrics of interest are:
- How big are the waves going to be
- How much energy do they have
- Is it the correct swell direction for the spot
- What’s the swell period
- Is there only one swell or are there several swells overlaying over each other, making the wave messy
I personally use Surf-forecast.com, but others like Magicseaweed, etc. will give you similar metrics. Again, use the forecast you are used to or try a few different ones until you find one you like.
Conclusion:
A variety of tools gives you a better overview than to only rely on one forecasting model. Each model has their strenghts and weaknesses, use them to your advantage and find a combination that works for your spot. There is plenty more weather apps out there, and the one listed here are not necessarily the best for everyone on any spot in the world, but they do work for us here in New Zealand.
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