Starx 1 #1 October 31, 2015 I have an app that will translate METAR and there's an AWOS that I can call but both of those give real time weather, not forecasts. For forcasts the only thing I have is weather underground. Unfortunately telling me it's 60% overcast doesn't help much because I don't know if that overcast is going to be at 5000 ft (boo) or 15000 ft (yay!). It's a 2 hour drive for me so it extra sucks to sit on weather hold. Can anyone suggest some better resources for me to make my go/no go decision in the mornings? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RXB17 0 #2 October 31, 2015 http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi I use this in conjunction with weather underground to get a pretty decent idea of what the weather is going to be. It's still only good that day or sometimes the day before Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peek 20 #3 October 31, 2015 StarxWhere do y'all get your weather info? I have simply collected a massive amount of links to various sources related to my area. Here is what I use for the St. Louis area. You can "back up" from these links to see where the sources are for your area. http://www.skydivestlouisarea.com/weather.htm I wrote the scripts for the "US Winds Aloft Forecast for Drop Zones" and "Translated US METARs for Drop Zones". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
faulknerwn 33 #4 October 31, 2015 Aeroweather on the iPhone reports the TAF's for any local airports that make one. That is useful for cloud ceilings.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #5 October 31, 2015 We have a Metars station 100 yards from our landing area, so I use that. Luckily I speak fluent Metars. KSHN 311453Z AUTO 21021G31KT 6SM -RA BR SCT015 BKN024 OVC045 16/14 A2956 RMK AO2 PK WND 21031/1447 Today looks like a good day to stay home and brew beer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,329 #6 October 31, 2015 RXB17 http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi I use this in conjunction with weather underground to get a pretty decent idea of what the weather is going to be. It's still only good that day or sometimes the day before Clicky Fixie That's what I use. It's a "decode" of the 'airplane' forecast. It has ceilings, winds & visibilities. It only goes out 36 hours, but that level of forecast is pretty accurate."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JWest 0 #7 October 31, 2015 wolfriverjoe ***http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi I use this in conjunction with weather underground to get a pretty decent idea of what the weather is going to be. It's still only good that day or sometimes the day before Clicky Fixie That's what I use. It's a "decode" of the 'airplane' forecast. It has ceilings, winds & visibilities. It only goes out 36 hours, but that level of forecast is pretty accurate. Yep, this one is pretty good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pat007 0 #8 October 31, 2015 You're right, John. I was just out there dropping my rig off for a reserve repack. Even the two Caravans are in the hangar avoiding the rain and wind!My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPAWNmaster 0 #9 October 31, 2015 Use the TAF functions on the METAR. Major METAR stations will give you forecasted data for several time periods usually over a 24-hour period (or greater). Also NOAA offers a really cool report called the "Aviation Forecast Discussion" which is essentially the regional forecaster's interpretation of the NWS local data so you get a kind of dumbed down "is it VFR/IFR?" what kind of pressure moving through, etc. For winds I haven't found any more accurate reports than the Windfinder.com super forecast. IMHO as both a pilot, skydiver and as someone who makes a living from the weather, USAirnet is inaccurate but I also live in a pretty difficult region as far as forecasting goes. YMMV Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #10 October 31, 2015 Pat007 You're right, John. I was just out there dropping my rig off for a reserve repack. Even the two Caravans are in the hangar avoiding the rain and wind! Damn, it's bad when you gotta bring in the Caravans. . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdenny20 0 #11 November 1, 2015 Aviation Digital Data Service. It's what I use for weather inquiries when flying. METARs, TAFs, wind aloft, cloud coverage, radar, it's a one stop shop. You mentioned forecasts, so check it out their TAF section. https://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/tafs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #12 November 1, 2015 JohnMitchell We have a Metars station 100 yards from our landing area, so I use that. Luckily I speak fluent Metars. KSHN 311453Z AUTO 21021G31KT 6SM -RA BR SCT015 BKN024 OVC045 16/14 A2956 RMK AO2 PK WND 21031/1447 Today looks like a good day to stay home and brew beer. That looks like a blast... I wouldn't even want to be outside in that! "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #13 November 1, 2015 Nav Canada Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lyosha 43 #14 November 1, 2015 RXB17http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi This and www.weather.gov Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starx 1 #15 November 3, 2015 I'll give those a try, thanks for the suggestions everyone! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites