Waveheight, NOAA, NBDC, Weather, etc

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DuckDogTitus

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Where do you go for weather and wave info?

I have spent a fair amount of time on the NOAA website and I really like the capabilities of the NBDC, but it seems like most of the places I plan to boat only have half of the information listed.

Why don't they list "wave height" for instance on the bouy inside of grays harbor?

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=46211

on the bouy just outside of the harbor they have wave info but no wind info. :?:
 
There is no anemometer on the buoy. Some buoys are specific in what they measure. Why? Government!

I use an app: Windfinder Pro. it shows wind speed at Hoquimam airport, Westport, Rainbows end, Damon Point, Westport Buoy. Nothing specific for Gray's harbor. Seems like Westport Buoy should be a good resource--currently it shows the wind at 7 mph at NW. It also gives prediction and weather prediction--no wave height. It is mostly for wind and kite boarding.
 
Dustin, In looking at the site it appears that "Waverider" Buoys" are not equipped to monitor wind speeds. However, it you click on the "Meteorological Observations for Nearby Stations and Ships" you can locate wind speeds and wind gusts in nearby Latitude and Longitude locations as the Waverider Buoy.
 
For weather I use the NOAA graphical weather website. This gives decent predictions several days out and has predictions at several times throughout the day. Wind predictions are displayed also.

For wind, waves, swell height and swell period I use the Swellwatch website. This site is the most useful I have found for predicting ocean conditions.
 
rogerbum":2asbz83t said:
For weather I use the NOAA graphical weather website[/url].
Click to expand...

I haven't used it for boating (yet), but I'm a big fan of the NOAA graphical site. It's really handy when traveling for getting the big, yet detailed, picture (which can be oddly hard to do with other sites), in addition to being great in a home area. It's my number one weather site.

(Sadly, a few weeks ago when I looked at it they were soliciting comments on a "new, improved" version. I took a look at it and didn't really warm up to it, to put it mildly. My first impression was that it was one of those changes that's "new" but doesn't deliver the information as effectively. In other words, I couldn't find what I was looking for. Now granted, I might eventually figure it out; but then the current site didn't really require any major figuring to "learn." I did comment!)
 
Thank you everyone!
I'd like to take the boat down to greys harbor and spend some time dinking around there for crab and maybe venture beyond but its about 2.5hrs so that's why I've been doing my weather/wave research. Tacoma-Seattle is only 30 minutes. I still always check before I go, but if something were to change its not as big of a let down as a 5hr roundtrip drive to the coast.

Sunbeam... I'm with you on that. I understand the need for constant change but I'm also a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kinda guy.


Crab season opens up locally next week, I was just looking for an excuse to get out this weekend. May go chase some crawdads instead ;)
 
This weekend looks like it will be really calm in Westport if you decide to go. Weather conditions look like crossing the bar would be no trouble at all with only a 4' swell with very little wind.

I use: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/marine_report.html

Then follow the VHF xw weather channel while boating for updates.

Those are updated every 6 hours, and often in between when there is corrections or unexpected developments.
 
I use that site and cross reference with a few others for my offshore trips. The first is within the NOAA site you listed. There is a 'pinpoint' or 'zone' forecast and you simply click anywhere on the map. Below the map shows the lat/lon of your desired location.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... mx=1&zmy=1

The second site I use is stormsurf. I have found this forecast to be very accurate for my areas. Click on the sea/wind/period tabs and it will animate the forecast.

http://stormsurf.com/locals/pacnwn.shtml

Good luck and be safe.
 
I use this site: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/west/sewmz.htm It allows me to see the forecast for the particular area I'm going to fish, whether it be inside (near the casino), or farther out around the South Bowl or GH Buoy. Sunday I'll probably hit both inside and out.

I check twice everyday during the week prior to going so I get a good feel for the weather pattern. I'm more concerned with the forecast, not necessarily what the conditions are at that exact moment 'cause I ain't there. :-) But before I make that go/no go decision to leave home, I like to have an idea what the forecast has been/is.

Sunday looks like it's shaping up to be a relatively flat day on the big pond. Current forecast 10 nm out is: LIGHT WIND...BECOMING N TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. S SWELL 4 FT AT 14 SECONDS. My only concern is the North wind against a South swell, but with only a 10 kt wind and 4' swell it should be okay.

If you're thinking of heading out there to crab, be mighty careful where you drop your pots. The current in Grays Harbor can be pretty strong and will carry your pots off in a heartbeat. Plus, there are pot bandits in the area; you'll want to stay close and monitor. You can go across the bar and drop in the ocean, but stay away from the commercial guys.

I normally travel to Westport the evening before and launch. It's $20 to launch and moor at the transient dock overnight (J dock). The launch line gets pretty long early in the morning this time of year.
 
thats really great information, I will either need to just take a weekend to slowly explore or possibly buddy boat this one. I think.

those websites are great. the format you posted:

Current forecast 10 nm out is: LIGHT WIND...BECOMING N TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. S SWELL 4 FT AT 14 SECONDS
Click to expand...

is EXACTLY the type of information I was hoping find!
 
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