The Weekend Weather

[tone2012]

just been on metoffice site, and basildon has good weekend weather.

so i will be out in the garden

is there a better weather app or site you guys use ?

[Bluey]

I normally use the MetOffice as well, I just go with which ever one says the clearest skies

[knobby]

If you have an Android phone, this is pretty useful

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=Lewis.sevenTimer2

[Marc1980]

thanks Knobby, just downloaded that app. very useful.

[knobby]

Hi Marc, Friday looks promising !

[skywatcher250]

knobby - ru planning to go out ?

[Marc1980]

Yep. Friday night into saturday morning is looking good in Cornwall.

Sent from my galaxy s3 using tapatalk 2

[knobby]

Cheers Marc ... We're in Essex !

Si, if the clouds permit , I'm up for it !

[skywatcher250]

excellent - well im def in as well weather allowing no doubt will speak to you tomorrow at some point - think ill chuck the scope in my car and see how the day goes !

[todd8137]

Metcheck,sat24'and as bob Dylan. Said you do'nt need a weather man to no which ,way the blows

[Bluey]

If you are going tomorrow boys, I might be able to tag along, the weather looks ok so far. If you do go let me know and I'll tell you definitely if I can come.

[knobby]

Astropanel looks like its clear after about 10 ish for Friday

[knobby]

Metcheck,sat24'and as bob Dylan. Said you do'nt need a weather man to no which ,way the blows

Todd, you're a long way from Essex !

[todd8137]

Yes this is true but sat 24 ,and metcheck can be used only post code or location needed

pat

[knobby]

Fair point, coming out to Dengie with us ?

[skywatcher250]

Lets see what the weather says tomorrow. As the day goes on

[knobby]

One will be keeping ones fingers crossed one will

[IanL]

The best site for astro weather I have found so far is MeteoBlue:

http://www.meteoblue.com/en_GB/weather/charts/seeing/basildon_gb_2209

It gives you a three day forecast (for free - 7 days if you pay). I have found it a lot more reliable than the standard forecast sites for local conditions. If it predicts clouds rolling in at 21:00 for 3 hours, that is pretty much what seems to happen. Also gives you multiple seeing-related forecasts so you can get an idea of conditions before you start. Highly recommended.

From the site it covers the following showing an hour by hour summary:

- For good seeing conditions look for dark blue colors in the cloud cover and green values in the Seeing Indices and Jet Stream

- The estimated seeing indexes (1 & 2) range from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) seeing conditions. This value is computed based on the integration of turbulent layers in the atmosphere.

- NEW! Estimation of seeing in arcseconds. This is a test prediction under development, uncalibrated for the time being.

- Cloud cover ranges from dark blue (0% cover) to white (100% cover). Fog or very low cloud is not shown here (see pictocast for fog)

- High jetstream speeds (>35m/s) usually correspond to bad seeing, as well as very low speeds (<5m/s). Color gives a hint.

- Bad Layers have a Temperature Gradient > 0.5K/100m. The actual gradient is shown K/100m. The top and bottom height of the Bad layers is indicated by Bad Layers bot/top

[skywatcher250]

think its gonna b a windy one (assuming its clear) id say at this exact point in time it doesnt look good BUT ive been wrong before

[skywatcher250]

thats a great site ian

please could you explain something for me as im new to that site

i assume blue zero is good for clouds

the seeing index is 3 and mid green which i assume is also good

i dont understand seeing index2, arcseconds or the jetstream (assume red is bad ? )

also.. bad layers ? haha thanks mate

[knobby]

It's looking cloudy til about 1.30 Saturday morning ... Pants !

[Russe]

Sky harbinger is a great app for weather prediction.

[NigelCampbell]

Looks poor (again!) all weekend for me!

[skywatcher250]

with much regret.... im staying in maybe next week hey

[Bluey]

Just checked the Met Office, it says clear till about 1am, then clouding over. Think the garden is the best option again, doh!

And I just knocked up a dew shield for the Telrad as well!