Forecast websites for Maui

combs · Joined: 01 Apr 1997 Posts: 130

Does anyone have info on local websites for wind and surf forecasts for Maui? iwindsurf models dont seem to have the accuracy typical of other locations.

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area

mauiweathertoday dot com

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 1902

Hi Coobs,

We currently do not run the WRAMS over Maui but we do offer the ARW 5km model which you can access at windalert.com using your iwindsurf.com user name and password.

http://windalert.com/en-us/Search/ViewResults.aspx#20.811,-156.426,11,275814

Once there zoom in to the desired view of Maui. Then using the left margin tools go to Regional Products and select Forecast Map.

Then go back to the left margin and select Customize. Under Forecast Model select ARW.

Remember that the north shore and the south shore winds are strongly impacted by topographic venturi effects that vary with wind direction. Often models do not see these topography details with 5km resolution so you will have to learn correction factors. But the model will give you the base wind.

Hope this helps.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com

nw30 · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject:

http://www.mauiwindcam.com/weather/

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 1902

Hi nw30,

If you look carefully at the model data in your post you will notice that the tables are based upon a model resolution of 50km for the GFS and NWW3

(GFS 50 km 13.09. 12 UTC, NWW3 50 km 13.09. 12 UTC)

That means that they average all the topographic detail over a 50 kilometer grid. So they can not even see the mountains that accelerate the Maui winds near shore. The ARW 5 kilometer model on WA has a order of magnitude higher resolution which means higher forecast accuracy.

But to provide really accurate Maui forecasts you would need at least 1 kilometer resolution. Still the higher the resolution a model the closer to reality its forecasts.

So your best bet is to compare a bunch of models at the same time focusing on the highest res. one.

Below you can see all the models for Kanaha on Windalert.com for today.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com

keycocker · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598

Local effects are so pronounced at north shore sites that sailors often tell you the winds in different areas of the site on arrival, like inside ,outside or Camp one from Kanaha.