Your fav apps for wind and weather forecast?

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Katana

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Hi everybody,
What is the best tool for weather forecasting before you go? There're a lot of apps and websites, how do I choose one? I'm a beginner)
And most important, what are the main features such a tool should have?
Thank you!
 
In Croatia, definitely something that can provide you products from the DHMZ.
Something with radar (weather radar) images can be useful for very short term (say hours) nevera risks. There are Croatian radars and NE Italy ones, some apps combine them.

edit:
Check also the recent thread "Croatia winds". Just talking of Croatia as it seems your location and some local sources definitely have an added value with regards to more general sites and apps.
 
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The basic data don't vary a lot; they all draw on the same models, except for the Met Office who run their own at a higher resolution for the UK than the others.

When doing a long passage, I found the display of XC Weather very helpful; it enabled a very quick go/no go decision for 2-3 days ahead; that's about the limit of reliable forecasting. I cross checked it with other data; I use YR and the Met Office apps, but generally found that XC tended to be conservative. I think thee three use different models, so cross checking them is a useful exercise.
 
Try Windy.com - gives you a choice of GFS, ECMWF, Icon, NEMS and AROME models. XC weather seems to be GFS based. GFS has a larger mesh size, things like ECWMF have higher resolution over Europe. UK Metoffice data public availability is limited so as not to compromise their commercial business.
 
I use PocketGrib, has the advantage that you download a comparatively small data file which has the forecast data for the next 8 days. So in places with poor/slow internet connection, you can get a forecast which is available for examination off line. Others apps (eg Windy) need a reasonable connection as each time you change the date/time of the forecast map you are downloading a new graphic.
As the good Pilot says, most of the apps use the same forecast data, it’s just how they choose to display it. I like the PocketGrib presentation, others prefer differing displays.
 
We use

Windguru

when putting ships together - we are extremely careful about weather conditions for this .... its actually for windsurfers !! but it has literally worldwide coverage and can actually use nearby stations to approximate the location you want.
It gives you breakdown over hours each day and more than a week look ahead.
 
As a sometimes kitesurfer, my go-to would be KiteAddicts.
The stats provided on this website I find to be very realistic, and also gives tidal information.
Hyperlink above takes you to the UK map showing all available 'spots' for reporting.
You can tailor your 'home spot' according to your own preferences.

Screen Shot 2020-02-18 at 08.43.15.png
 
I use xc for short term forecasts. The issue with Apps is one of blind faith in electronics, a global pandemic ?

I also like to see the synoptic charts as these give a more insightful picture with better visual impact. To see how the forecasters predict the movement of weather systems with their associates fronts and isobars together your own regular barometric observations helps build a more complete picture.
 
I use XCWeather when internet available and Pocket Grib when out of range. The latter can download 5days wind forecast when connected and stored for reference when not. It has to be remembered that the data is not updated when offline so becomes progressively less accurate.
As has been pointed out, all apps are only different ways of presenting the GRIB Information so pick the one you find easiest to understand.
 
I used XC Weather for many years as I used to para-glide (XC stands for Cross Country a flying aim for many gliders) and that is where they came from with actual airfield data, which you can still see on the desktop site, each arrow being an airfield location. They now get their forecast data from the GFS, and you can see which model is being used by scrolling to the bottom of the forecast where it says GFS and a Time.
Windy.com is really good as you can change the model and it stars with the ECMWF model which is more detailed than GFS around the UK. It is good to compare the models as you can be more confident if they all agree! Often they may show a front arriving at different times. On Windy you can pick spots and this give you a 5 day forecast table similar to XC, Wind guru etc. at any point chosen.
 
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Ocean Prediction Center (NOAA) for synoptic charts.
Windy as I like being able to scroll through the various models to see the different opinions.
Buoy data for what's actually happening.
Weather on line for the rain radar.
 
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