Description

There are plenty of apps devoted to marine weather observations and forecasting. Apps are a convenient and popular way to access wind & wave forecasts, marine observations, Doppler Weather Radar, and prepare the most favorable route for your passage. However not all apps are created equal. Several popular weather-related apps such as Squid Sailing, Predict Wind, Sail Flow, Windy, GRLevel 3, and Radarscope will be reviewed. We will also examine the underlying data sources and discuss the positives and negatives associated with relying on apps for your racing & cruising forecasts.

What you will learn at the webinar:

  • How to interpret meteorological timekeeping.
  • Where the data comes from.
  • How forecast guidance is prepared.
  • The meaning of forecast model resolution and why it matters?
  • The ups and downs of forecast model performance and how to manage it.
  • The features of several popular marine weather apps.
  • The advantages of using Grib files.
  • A few guidelines on using software-derived weather routing.
  • Why you shouldn’t rely solely on apps for your marine forecasts.
  • An introduction to several “must visit” weather-related websites.
  • What to look for in an app for Doppler Weather radar.
Location:
Online Webinar



Date:
February 13, 2025

Time:
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Eastern Time


Fee:
$30


Please send questions regarding the webinar to Mark Thornton at Mark@LakeErieWX.com. Please click here to view the speaker's biography.

About The Presenter

Mark Thornton has been sailing for more than 30 years and currently owns Osprey, a C&C 35. His interest in weather forecasting grew from his experiences cruising and racing on the Great Lakes. Mark is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.

He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Mackinac Race since 2014. Mark is also employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.