Enough is Enough!!!!!

Inflictor · Since 17 Aug 2013 151 Posts Stoked

Well all summer I've been considering getting back into forecasting wind for the Gorge because of the horrible misleading and inaccurate forecasts of pretty much every wind guru.Too much confusion. The forecast is very important to us wind junkies as we plan our day. As of THIS MORNING you are no longer captive to the PAY FOR services you've been getting ripped off by.The NWS now has put ALL of I windsurf's sensors on line on the Interactive Observations page, YES IT'S FREE NOW! You no longer have to either miss good conditions or go out in bad ones because of forecasters that don't verify their forecasts and observations, because THEY DON"T CARE, they already have your attention and money. I never see any of them out on the water with me, or going to beaches and parking lots just to see if the meters really are what's happening on the water, so they'll know better next forecast. People who judge the conditions by the numbers on the phone don't get it. LOOK AT THE WATER, CHECK THE WEBCAMS!
Now that ALL the observations are free, the only thing you'll be paying for are the sometimes misleading and inaccurate forecasts.
I would consider getting back into forecasting,(for the Gorge and Coast only) If those of you who pay for it now would send that money to me! I have to make my 37 years of wind experience pay,( I've spent alot of money on gas and missed alot of paying work to gain this knowledge) or I'm not going to do it.
Just throwing that out there!
But in the meantime go get all the the information you need, to find the wind you like, at the beach you want FOR FREE. Your welcome, I care. INFLICTOR

Nevo · Guest

Mind sharing a link to this interactive observations page?

NWS forecast for Manzanita says 5-9mph today while ikite says near 20's.

That's a pretty big difference...

Inflictor · Since 17 Aug 2013 151 Posts Stoked

that's my point, read the post again NWS PORTLAND DUDE

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1840 Posts XTreme Poster

We all miss Stu Hill's forecasts, that's for sure...

Nevo · Guest

I still don’t know where the NWS interactive page is that’s gorge specific.

I’m happy to pay for a forecast that gets me out of the gorge tho.

wylieflyote · Tue Aug 28, 18 7:01 am

Stu Hill!!
I drive 3+ hours from Tacoma and a few pesos a month is a bargain. Yes, I can see all the NWS stuff but for us idiots it's much better to have a real expert with decades of Gorge life who knows the effects of things like thermal, vectors, gradients, etc.

moondog · Tue Aug 28, 18 7:26 am

How do we get your forecasts?

McLovin · Since 11 Sep 2017 284 Posts Corbett Obsessed

Victor - you will find a Wealth of happy subscribers to your new gorge and coast V-cast just make it happen and we will happily PAY for a GOOD Service...

Mc

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Sorry Victor - I'm calling BS.

Iwindsurf is good. Maybe not great but it's good.
And if you use it enough you can translate their readings into kite size - at least I can with about 99% accuracy.
I have over 100 days on the river this year and I've only rigged the wrong kite size twice. I rely on the Iwindsurf sensors 100%.
Also - I have yet to drive somewhere and get skunked which happened a lot before cell phones.

Of course I foil now - so I'm happy if the wind is 10 gusting to 30.
It's the new math -> ((Crappy wind + Slingshot Foil) = great session)!

Iwindsurf condenses all the info I need onto one small cell phone screen.
I can plan my day on the water with 2 clicks and it takes 3 minutes.

The only NWS Interactive page I could find was this - https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mesowest/frame.php?map=colriver

It's hard to use and you have to click, click, click.

If the Iwindsurf sensors (or equivalent) are available..... show us.... or go back on your meds!

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

that is an AWESOME page.

thanks for throwing that out there

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

https://nowcoast.noaa.gov

on the right , scroll to observations, click on surface weather/ocean conditions

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Victor is a genius for forecasting the Gorge and coast.
I was calling BS on his critique of Iwind** and other forecasters.

But I want a single source available as an app on my phone where I can get a reasonably accurate forecast and also the current conditions.... in one or 2 clicks and under 2 minutes or less.

I'm just saying that Iwindsurf meets my needs. They work hard to improve their product and they do a pretty good job. If they have a soft spot - they are guilty of under-estimating the wind strength.

moondog · Wed Aug 29, 18 8:34 am

I'm fortunate to have a view from Wells Island to Viento, so my favorite website is : looking out my window.com. I start with the sky above, it usually mirrors the wind conditions, next I watch the wind march down from Viento and then compare the ikite sites of Swell and HR. Next I look for streaks and holes on the water and wind direction. If everything lines up, I slowly and carefully ease off the couch and head for wilds of the Wunderbar! I'm usually 81.4% correct, but this August has been unusually gusty.

west · Since 09 Oct 2008 136 Posts Lake Michigan Stoked

Lmao when “2 minute 2 click Charlie” stated that he relied on Ikite 100%, and uses that info for rigging, with only two “miss-rigs” all season, still got me chuckling. I guess it’s not really that complicated after all....keep watching the skies Victor!!

Sella · Wed Aug 29, 18 12:17 pm