Weather Resources

Select Forecasting Tools for Students, Captains, and Marine Weather Enthusiasts...

When constructing a forecast, it is prudent to rely on multiple sources of information to create a comprehensive picture of anticipated marine conditions. In other words: don't simply rely on the single forecast that best suits your plans. Always determine the potential worst-case conditions. Safety first.

The links provided on this page are external to The Gratitude Sailing Institute website. All content on these external pages is copyrighted by their respective owners, and may change without notice.

From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Links to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Weather Prediction Center (WPS), and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Some pages must be resized when viewing on a smartphone.

• The National Weather Service Home Page

  Overview of CONUS (Continental U.S.) conditions. Local weather forecasts can be obtained by entering the city and state in upper left box, or clicking directly on the map.

• NWS Graphical Forecast

  Digital visual depictions of current and forecast data for the Delmarva area. Use the dropdown menu to change the parameter, and the slider to change the timeframe. The map can also be resized and relocated. Clicking on the map provides links to local forecasts. Note from the NWS: digital display of new NWS forecasts can be delayed by several minutes or more from local issuance.

• NWS Forecast Overview of the Upper Chesapeake Bay

  An overview of the upper bay winds, anticipated wave heights, and air temps. To change the map, scroll to the new area and click Change Domain. Clicking on the map produces a point forecast.

• NWS Point Forecast for the Upper Chesapeake Bay

  Local forecasts for the waters navigated during the beginner-level sailing classes at Gratitude Sailing Institute

• NWS Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office

  A plethora of resources for the Chesapeake Bay, including marine forecasts, radar, weather hazard briefings, the the technical forecast discussion.

• NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Forecast Office

  The local forecast office covering the Upper Chesapeake, Delaware Bay, and NJ coastline. The Marine Forecasts link is particularly useful for anticipated offshore (i.e., ocean) wind and wave conditions.

• NWS Standard Radar, Station KDOX in Dover DE

  Standard radar image of the Delmarva Peninsula.

• National Hurricane Center Home Page

  The site no one wants to need....

NOAA Technical Forecasting Tools: Resources for weather enthusiasts, or those who have taken ASA 119. These links provide more detailed information about atmospheric conditions.

• NWS SR-BREF Radar from Station KDOX in Dover DE

  Current Super Resolution Base Reflectivity radar image capturing the Upper Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Super Resolution Base Velocities are also available. Updated approximately every three minutes. Can be used in conjunction with the NWS SR-BREF Radar from Station KLWX in Sterling VA and the NWA SR-BREF Radar from Station KAKQ in Norfolk VA to get a complete picture of the Delmarva peninsula. Note: Users should have some knowledge of doppler radar interpretation when accessing these pages.

• Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Overview page

  For the more advanced weather enthusiast, technical information about front locations, Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF), and other specialized forecasting resources.

• NOAA's Air Resource Laboratory

  Use airport ID MTN for Middle River, or NAK for information around Annapolis, to see technical data from READY (Real-time Environmental Applications and Display System). Important note: while extremely useful for determining atmospheric conditions, this database should not be relied upon for 24/7 access.

Other useful sites and downloadable apps:

This is not a comprehensive list of weather resources available on the Internet. However, these are sites and tools that Gratitude Sailing staff and Captains utilize, and that have demonstrated reliability in their data accuracy.

Safe seas!