BBC coastal forecast vs inshore waters forecast????

[Modulation]

I normally use the Metoffice inshore waters forecast for passages up and down the coast. After all it extends 12 miles out to sea so seems a good bet. More relevant than the shipping forecast.
I've just come across the BBC coastal forecast - not been aware of it before. Even though it covers the same general areas ( a little more detailed perhaps) it seems to present quite a different picture from the IW forecast. In general it indicates a generally much less grim view of what wind and sea state are going to be. It also uses interesting descriptions like "wavelets" - what are they? But best of all it breaks the day into 6 hour chunks - and that's really useful. It's not clear how far out it extends however - a bit of a problem.
Does anyone use this service? Do you find it to be more accurate?
And who is it prepared for?

Thanks

 

[dylanwinter]

windguru

I normally use the Metoffice inshore waters forecast for passages up and down the coast. After all it extends 12 miles out to sea so seems a good bet. More relevant than the shipping forecast.
I've just come across the BBC coastal forecast - not been aware of it before. Even though it covers the same general areas ( a little more detailed perhaps) it seems to present quite a different picture from the IW forecast. In general it indicates a generally much less grim view of what wind and sea state are going to be. It also uses interesting descriptions like "wavelets" - what are they? But best of all it breaks the day into 6 hour chunks - and that's really useful. It's not clear how far out it extends however - a bit of a problem.
Does anyone use this service? Do you find it to be more accurate?
And who is it prepared for?

Thanks

I have always found windguru pretty accurate

it tells you wind speed and direction

seastate

rainfall

and as a cameraman it is also great because it gives three levels of cloud cover

hourly divisions

Dylan

 

[Bru]

I too came across the Coastal forecast quite by chance and I've been referring to it this past summer. I've generall found it to be of more use and reliability than the Inshore Waters forecast

Like Dylan though I also make considerable use of Windguru and for full access to the GFS forecasts and longer range predictions I use NetWeather.TV

 

[Leighb]

Where is this alternative located? Is it online or broadcast?

 

[Modulation]

Where is this alternative located? Is it online or broadcast?

On line. Just go to the BBC weather page and navigate your way from there.
Windguru is pretty good but it gives wave height and not sea state - and its sea state that I'm more interested in!

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I have tried Windguru (which always seems to underestimate wind strength), but the best for me, in terms of duration, accuracy and format seems to be Buoyweather or Simon Keelings Sailing Weather. Unfortunately both have what, in my opinion, is a rather awkward financial model that is not really easily suited to seasonal sailing.

 

[st599]

I normally use the Metoffice inshore waters forecast for passages up and down the coast. After all it extends 12 miles out to sea so seems a good bet. More relevant than the shipping forecast.
I've just come across the BBC coastal forecast - not been aware of it before. Even though it covers the same general areas ( a little more detailed perhaps) it seems to present quite a different picture from the IW forecast. In general it indicates a generally much less grim view of what wind and sea state are going to be. It also uses interesting descriptions like "wavelets" - what are they? But best of all it breaks the day into 6 hour chunks - and that's really useful. It's not clear how far out it extends however - a bit of a problem.
Does anyone use this service? Do you find it to be more accurate?
And who is it prepared for?

Thanks

The BBC buys in the weather service from the Met Office (including the on-air meteorologists). You're looking at two representations of the same data.

 

[Bru]

You're looking at two representations of the same data.

In theory yes. However, in practice, the Inshore Forecast and the Coastal Forecast often differ significantly and empirical experience over the last few months has led me to feel that the Coastal forecast tends to be the more accurate for my purposes

 

[Cantata]

Interesting, I shall take a look.
I consistently find the IWS unhelpful and over-pessimistic. Just today, for eaxample - from last night's forecast it should have blown SW4-5 all night. It didn't, there was hardly any wind at all. Setting off at 0800 to leg it home, the 0600 forecast said SW4-5 increasing 5-7 (5-7 is not helpful!), and until 1130 I never saw more than a F2 and it was SSE. The forecast increase did come (just as I got back to my berth), but I had verified that by looking at charts myself. Seems to me the IWS is painted with too broad a brush, over sea areas that are too large, and at too large time intervals.
Disappointing as it ought to be the 'flagship' service for the likes of us.

 

[maxi77]

In theory yes. However, in practice, the Inshore Forecast and the Coastal Forecast often differ significantly and empirical experience over the last few months has led me to feel that the Coastal forecast tends to be the more accurate for my purposes

Quite simply the Inshore forecast is pared to the minimum and covers to big an are to ever be accurate for everyone, and the BBC is obliged to broadcast it. The BBC forecasts are produce to BBC specs and intended to encourage people to listen so cover smaller areas and are more detailed

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Any opinions on Meteo Consult? I know some forumites use it and it does look pretty good.
Never got on with WindGuru myself.

 

[Cantata]

Quite simply the Inshore forecast is pared to the minimum and covers to big an are to ever be accurate for everyone, and the BBC is obliged to broadcast it. The BBC forecasts are produce to BBC specs and intended to encourage people to listen so cover smaller areas and are more detailed

I understand it's pared to a certain length because that's what the CG has agreed to broadcast. However its content and format is (I understand) 'controlled' by a committee attended by an RYA rep.

 

[aquaholic]

Have always found the BBC Coastal Forecast http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast_and_sea/coastal/ very reliable for inshore work, and also consult windguru. If I am feeling brave I sometimes check the Shipping Forecast

 

[Corribee Boy]

I've certainly had several weekends ruined by listening to the Met Office inshore forecast and waiting on the mooring for the force 7s to pass by, only to miss out on pleasant force 4s that prevailed. I'll try the BBC in future, so thanks for the heads up.

 

[maxi77]

I understand it's pared to a certain length because that's what the CG has agreed to broadcast. However its content and format is (I understand) 'controlled' by a committee attended by an RYA rep.

That does not stop it being the minimum you can get away with. If you have nothing it is the best you can get, if you have access to other sources it can be useful, but there are not enough words available to make it a really good forecast.

 

[ffiill]

I use MetOffice Mobile local 5 days-both on my home PC and on my phone.
Although weather is very local up here in NW Highlands reports do not appear too inaccurate particularly if based around harbours such as Kyle of Lochalsh or air strips/ports such as Broadford on Skye.

 

[MM5AHO]

I have generally found IW forecast to be overly pessimistic.
Sometimes ambiguous. Last weekend for example, forecasting 5-6 sometimes 7-8 and occasionally 4.
Well that about covers it all doesn't it.

 

[trapezeartist]

I have tried Windguru (which always seems to underestimate wind strength), but the best for me, in terms of duration, accuracy and format seems to be Buoyweather or Simon Keelings Sailing Weather. Unfortunately both have what, in my opinion, is a rather awkward financial model that is not really easily suited to seasonal sailing.

Windfinder has a very nice financial model: it's free. In fact it includes two weather models helpfully entitled Forecast and Super Forecast. Superforecast is the most accurate in my experience (usually quoting about 1 Beaufort above the standard forecast) but it only extends for 3 days.

I believe the two Windfinder forecasts correspond to the two Windguru forecasts (same basic models) but the Windguru equivalent of Super Forecast is a paid-for service.

 

[wotayottie]

I normally use the Metoffice inshore waters forecast for passages up and down the coast. After all it extends 12 miles out to sea so seems a good bet. More relevant than the shipping forecast.
I've just come across the BBC coastal forecast - not been aware of it before. Even though it covers the same general areas ( a little more detailed perhaps) it seems to present quite a different picture from the IW forecast. In general it indicates a generally much less grim view of what wind and sea state are going to be. It also uses interesting descriptions like "wavelets" - what are they? But best of all it breaks the day into 6 hour chunks - and that's really useful. It's not clear how far out it extends however - a bit of a problem.
Does anyone use this service? Do you find it to be more accurate?
And who is it prepared for?

Thanks

Yes I use it along with other services. Thing is that the inshore waters covers large areas and the verbiage is based on the worst weather you are likely to see in that area ie round headlands or offshore exposed coastlines. Whats more most UK passages are well short of the 12 miles offshore and are much more influenced by the wind slowing effects of the land. Plus whatever the Frank Singleton says, I believe there is a "cover your backside" mentality post the Fish hurricane that never happened.

 

[The Dogs Pollacks Brother]

I have recently been using Magic Seaweed....they seem to be fairly good, especialy for coastal waters as its a surfers/windsurfers thing. Pretty much all the info we need for our fishing trips!