Weekend Weather Forecast Video

simonjk

simonjk

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Joined
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Messages
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www.sailingweather.co.uk
Hi everyone,

Hope this is okay to post, I'd welcome your views.

I’ve been playing with the idea of issuing the Weekend Weather Forecast by video, as well as text, and recorded a sample video today.

Have a look and see what you think. Of course it would require an investment to sustain it, but it would be free to everyone who uses it.

You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_S66ax6UzY

I hope to make improvements to the graphics, but this is to prove the concept and establish whether it would be welcome in the sailing community.

I’d really welcome your thoughts to simon@weatherweb.net

Best wishes,
Simon
 
Simon.. you CANT use 'gusts up to force 6' etc.. you should know that .. gusts up to xx knots, fine.. a gust does not a beaufort scale increase make....
Also, a forecast on wednesday, issued for saturday is optimistic at best....
There is plenty of weather info available.. surely the best way is to teach the ludites to actually interpret a synoptic chart.. ? it is NOT rocket Science.

Perhaps education is the way to go ?.
 
Not sure why "Gusts upto Force 6" is a problem???

It's how it comes through on my ICS Navtex....mins you the senders are French & Spanish out here, although I also "hear" Niton on a good day!!

Simon - I like it.....and appreciate the service you provide us....
p.s. any chance of free personalised weekend forecasts for the Bay of Roses???
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Fine Idea Simon. Your contributions are always welcome. You probably realise that the chart of the British Isles almost dissapears under the synoptics so its difficult to see the land mass. Perhaps a slightly larger scale showing the English channel out to the French coast for those looking at channel crossings?
 
Hi Simon

I am one of the Ludites or Luddites referred to above

I appreciate any attempt to bring me the weather in a more understandable and accurate form.

A couple of minor observations about your demo..........

I found the graphics a bit difficult to make out, the grey of the outline map was a bit lost below the meteorological data

I thought the density of the "wind arrows" cluttered the map and were difficult to decipher, perhaps fewer but bigger arrows might be clearer.

I understand that to be able to predict the weather you need to see the bigger picture.

However I would find useful for a map of say, the channel to be displayed with with appropriate info on it when you are delivering the detailed channel forecast, and similarly for other areas.

These are only minor comments about presentation. I appreciate any accurate forecast which is going to contribute to safe and enjoyable sailing, so thanks.

And on the Luddite question, I would rather use a weather forecast developed by experts than trust my own interpretations. I guess its got to do with using the best possible info to keep everyone safe. You won't be surprised to hear that I use tide tables too.

All the best
 
Brilliant idea, only let down as said above by the graphics. Could you colour in the land masses to make them visible?
 
[ QUOTE ]
And on the Luddite question, I would rather use a weather forecast developed by experts than trust my own interpretations. I guess its got to do with using the best possible info to keep everyone safe. You won't be surprised to hear that I use tide tables too.

[/ QUOTE ]

There IS a forecast, its called a synoptic chart outlook.
you dont forecast it YOURSELF, you just learn to read a synoptic chart.. it tells you everything you need as far as wind speed direction etc go.

I thought the royal yuppie ascociation taught people that >?? obviously not lol...

Being able to understand weather both before and during sailing is fundamental to safety.. it is really sad to see this area so diluted. You will ant a 'what rope to pull' video cast next... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Or a raymarine sailselection and reefing indicator...

No wonder theres so many calls to the rescue services.. sheeesh /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
re. Captainslarty

Is it always necessary to be rude to people ?

Or am I mistaking what you write for some sort of humour ?

There are many of us with commitments which do not allow us to be a"Liveaboard Cruising / General Layabout" and who appreciate improved weather forecasts.

I wonder how many are put off this forum by this elitist and unpleasant attitude ?

Cheers
 
Simon

Looks good to me - ignore the gift horse in the mouth brigade!

Maybe a bigger synoptic and explaining the predicted routes for the pressure systems (like the bbc used to do).

Maybe a presentation for those who don't understand lines on a weather chart?

apart from that great idea - thanks get on it...


Ian
 
[ QUOTE ]
Fine Idea Simon. Your contributions are always welcome. You probably realise that the chart of the British Isles almost disappears under the synoptics so its difficult to see the land mass. Perhaps a slightly larger scale showing the English channel out to the French coast for those looking at channel crossings?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second the above. Perhaps extend the idea of larger scale to a larger scale chart of each area as you are discussing it?

I can interpret a synoptic chart but that doesn't prevent me benefiting from the views of an expert: thanks and keep up the good work!
 
Simon - great idea - your forecasts always welcome - text too for the occasions when one is on a boat with low bandwidth.

Any chance that the East Coast could get a mention as well as the channel and the Irish sea!?

keep up the good work

Simon
 
Simon, I'm piggybacking on 'Ocklepoint's' input for ease of reference. I agree with his observations- the scale needs to be bigger and the detail less overwhelming- it also seemed to me, given that the UK outline was indistinct that the wind direction/force was hard to correlate to our individual regions.

As to critical comments about 'gusting' forces- forget it .....everyone knows what is meant, the intention is clear to the rest of us.

Since this is a free service for the time being your efforts are appreciated and to be encouraged.

For those who don't appreciate it, then may I commend our racing boat's dictum on complaints about the cooking:-

"Complain, and the job's yours until the next person complains" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Thanks all, great ideas and suggestions, I really appreciate the feedback. My aim here is to provide a forecast which is reliable and complimentary to other forecasts you may see (I must admit, it's also great fun helping you chaps out....especially when the forecast is righ (even if the weather is c**p!).

Yes, the graphics are looking ropey, so no surprise there. I have been very impressed with the general welcoming of the idea, now I need to improve it! I do have some ideas.

Next step is to focus the forecast on sailing areas of the UK, i.e. Solent, English Channel, Bristol Channel, Wales etc...

I'll get to work on it.

Keep the comments coming.

Simon
 
I thoroughly agree with you. His posts are getting more sarcastic and rude as time goes on, and his attitude is not the sort of thing I would expect to find here where we have contributors of all levels of experience.
It is typical of someone who thinks he knows it all, and probably knows very little.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Or am I mistaking what you write for some sort of humour ?

[/ QUOTE ] - no, it is Slarty who mistakes it for some sort of humour - the rest of us don't.

He has been stuck in La Coruna for two years now, and you know what Nelson said - harbours rot ships and men!

- W
 
Simon, it's great - with some minor graphics probs that need sorting.

The outline of the UK is pretty much invisible - needs to be black, not grey

and

The fronts are a bit big and clunky - smaller spikies and blobs would be better.

Otherwise it is excellent - a combination of wind arrows familiar to those of us who use GRIB data regularly and synoptic charts for those of us that like them, and all overlaid with a clear commentary with just the right amount of detail. An outlook for the weekend coming mid-week is ideal for the average weekend sailor - I think you have a winning format if you just tidy it up a bit graphically.

Ignore the moaners - I think there was only Slarty anyway, and he

a) isn't in the UK

and

b) doesn't sail anyway at the moment

- Webcraft
 
Simon take no notice of Slarty his comments are illconsidered to the point of being rude.

I second the remarks regarding graphics.

Furthermore, take no notice of those who claim that such a forecast is for numptys as the RYA syllabus is supposed to cover met and synoptic interpretation etc. I am supposed to examine people in this area and I am ALWAYS happy to hear the voice and opinion of a professional forecaster. Met is my weakest area (I admit it) and I try to learn all the time. I still remember interpreting a synoptic chart to a met' professional one day and getting it totally wrong - so ignore those smart alecs who think they know it all...

Thank you for your efforts - always appreciated.
 
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