Whats the best source of Isobar maps?
I have followed weather forecasting and had a station in out back yard for many yrs,that added the official data bases.
A person who I hold in great respect is Jim Salanger.. a string of PHDs yet still explains stuff in lay terms without having to show them off.
The best forecast data base is our NZ one.. not the Aussie, not NOAA , the canadian , or european.Our own MetOcean is world class plus some.
And that is what swell map is based on
I have been comparing forecast sourvce for around 6 or 7 yrs now... and for the 5 to 7 days they are consistently close.. As I said before a window may move in time.. 8 to 12 yrs..
And 3 to 5 days out 95% spot on
Pencil in the 5 to 7 days ... confirm the 3 to 4 days.
And in spring/ autumn (not so much autumn) be aware of the unstable change of season.
And for bars , watch the wind, several days before, well out in the tasman...check swell height... if low .. THEN check the period.. big period low swell is that so called 'BS freak wave'.. then follow that up with tide times to cross... and count your waves in a set AND the sets..
Any old school.. pre leg rope, tea shirt and baggies(no wetsuit) surfer will tell you that..many hrs sitting up on sand dunes mid winter, counting sets...
How many here can read or know how to read a barometer?
Or even know its about ther change when REGULARLY tapped, NOT what it reads?
How many know the types of cloud and what they mean when out on the water?
Basic boating skills...same as knowing how to take a compass bearing and then know where you are... how many know how to do that? If you havnt a compass use your watch.. even if digital.
This is all basic .. very basic old school stuff...add that to our modern technology...
Its not rocket science...