Weather!!! App / Website Suggestions?

[Paul73]

Hi All

Yet another hopeful night ruined by surprise cloud!!!! Although, at least it didn't rain on my scope as it cooled (last Wednesday)....

I have been scanning the web / iTunes for something that gives a moderately good forecast for cloud cover. There appear to be several thousand options all per proclaiming to be my eye to the future.

Metcheck/hobbies/astronomy seems to be the best so far.

Any thoughts?

Paul

[Stu]

I generally use Sat24.com, which gives you a good idea of where the cloud is and which direction it is moving. I've yet to find any other forecasts which are reliable, although many people use 7timer which is handy.

Failing that, look out of the window

Cheers,

Stu

[Charic]

Paul73.............Hi, as you sugest, there are loads of apps out there. I've been using the Android App, UK Weather Forecast. That has surprised me with its accuracy? I looked outside last Friday and it was fully overcast. about 10-15 mins later, it said clear skies (Bull I thought!) but had to check, and sure enough, clear skies. So it updates well (was using WiFi). EDIT: *Update* £2.50 gives full access & Ad Free.

[lukebl]

Try the Sky Harbinger IPad app. I find it reasonably accurate and no-frills.

[ccfcbob]

I have 2 andriod apps on the go at the minute on my phone. One is the BBC weather app which shows cloud cover as well which I have found pretty accurate and another Astro Panel which I have found a bit hit and miss.

I hear what your saying with the cloud though. Being new just happy to get out there and 'wing' it, see what I could find. Since I downloaded Stellarium and planned properly what I was looking for I haven't had a good night yet, just 10 minutes here and there, very frustrating.

[Paul73]

Thanks guys. Exactly what I was looking for.

Paul

[acey]

Just don't expect it to tell you if you'll be able to see any stars. I use the met office satellite images, but they can appear to show clear sky when actually there's ground mist. I've had many nights with clear skies forecast but it turned out cloudy - and some with a poor forecast when it turned into a great night. In the end it's a case of looking out the window, putting out the scope and hoping for the best.

[rjc404]

I've started using this website 'meteoblue' which gives astronomy seeing conditions in its charts and tools menu. Used it a bit and whilst not perfect like any forecast it does give a feel for different levels of cloud cover, and does give a seeing index.

http://www.meteoblue.com/en_CA/weather/charts/seeing/coventry_gb_7162

[Steve Ward]

http://www.sat24.com/en/gb     is my Bible in the daytime for catching those gaps for Solar and this one is I find very good in general , and can usually throw up a location very near you , I've guessed Reading for the link ... 

http://www.forecast.co.uk/reading.html?v=per_hour

[ronl]

I like this one http://www.forecast.co.uk/cloud/ it's normally

spot on.

[PhotoGav]

Oh my God, this is depressing... Great recommendations for weather / cloud cover info sources, but they all show cloud, cloud and thicker cloud for the coming days. I too have set up 3 times recently, inspired by BBC/MetOffice clear skies forecasts, only to be scuppered by cloud rolling in when just at the point of starting to image...

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhh!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PhotoGav]

I take it all back... Just had a beautiful session in the garden with crystal clear skies.

Here's to many more this winter!

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[cotterless45]

I use " Scope nights", it's very good for getting you all set up in anticipation,

Nick.

[Paul73]

Thanks Guys

I've got a phone full of weather APS now.

Would it be worth me doing a roundup of which Apps/sites do what? Or has this ground been well trodden previously?

Paul

[PhotoGav]

Good luck with them all.

What would be great is a simple review of each one to say how accurately they actually mange to predict the weather! Perhaps highlighting your favourite app, the one that you come to rely on.

[Paul73]

Good luck with them all.

What would be great is a simple review of each one to say how accurately they actually mange to predict the weather! Perhaps highlighting your favourite app, the one that you come to rely on.

Ok. Will do. I'll use them for a couple of weeks and then put something together.

Any more for the list??

Paul

[ardbeg74]

Found this site today, while not a weather forecast as such it does give some hints about what is going on with the weather:

http://astro.neutral.org/weather/

Interesting site in general, kept me occupied on the train home

[Paulhenry85]

"Scope nights" for the iPhone, simple traffic light report, hasn't failed me yet.

[Paulhenry85]

"Scope nights" for the iPhone, simple traffic light report, hasn't failed me yet.

And I use Metcheck for a web based weather reference http://www.metcheck.com/HOBBIES/astronomy.asp

[PhotoGav]

Ok. Will do. I'll use them for a couple of weeks and then put something together.

Any more for the list??

Paul

Seasons Greetings Paul,

Just wondering if you have any reports to issue on your findings...? No doubt you have seen rather too many cloud and rain icons over the last few weeks!!!

Cheers,

Gav.

[Paul73]

Seasons Greetings Paul,

Just wondering if you have any reports to issue on your findings...? No doubt you have seen rather too many cloud and rain icons over the last few weeks!!!

Cheers,

Gav.

Gav

And a slightly premature new year!

Yes. Red clouds everywhere. Work etc has rather taken the focus away from this one. I have quite a list to look at. 7timer has been down for the last 3 days. Hopefully temporary as several good apps run off it.

I'll get onto it properly and post something in 2 weeks rather than my subjective thoughts.

Sky Harbringer and Meteoblue are working quite well in tandem at the moment.

Thanks for the reminder.

Paul

[PhotoGav]

No worries Paul. It's only if you get the chance, I know what a damn bind work can be!!!

I use a combination of bbc weather and metcheck, which are fairly reliable. Interesting about your two choices, I hadn't even heard of them - will check them out.

Take care.

[Kai]

Met Office and Sat24 to see what's heading my way .

Then it's head out if the back door time to confirm