Need a locals weather opinion

[Joseph24]

The family and I are thinking about coming down next weekend.camping and fishing. Looking at the wind map and the 7 day forecast. It looks iffy? I have a 26 ft mako that can take more than me. The wind is saying west but hard Friday and Saturday.. Maybe rain.. How accurate are they this far out..
How bad does it get on a strong west wind? Is there a site that will give me predicted wave heights with wind?
ld like to put my 7 year old on some bigger fish.. Thanks in advance, Stephen

[Rebel]

I really wouldn't even look at it until Wednesday and even then it will probably change. If you put in at the public ramp (Owl Creek) inside Rudee Inlet, plan to get there really early. I've heard the ramp has been filling quickly on weekends and the VA Beach Police will actually cut it off once it is full. That being said if you are fishing the oceanfront as long as the wind is from the west, even 20 kts is not bad if you hug the beach. If the wind is out of the South you can always catch and release at the CBBT and be protected from the wind from the 1st and 2nd islands all the way to just inside Cape Henry.

As always, you know your vessel and your family best. Use caution and common sense and HAVE FUN!!

Good Luck!

Ed

[Sanity]

...unless it has a NAME associated with it .....like Katrina, Isabel.

There is an expression that if you wait 5 minutes in the Tidewater area...the weather will change...for better or worse.

I first look at weather reports 2 days before I plan to go and the night before. I still DON'T count on it to be "accurate" the next morning.

There is another expression used in this area....you don't know until you actually go!!!

Do the best planning you can, and give yourself an alternative plan. Be as safe as you can. If I have "hardcore" on board, I might go in certain conditions that I would NEVER consider taking the family out in.

KNOW YOUR BOAT AND ITS CAPABILITIES!

That's about the best you can do......GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU GO!

[finnfur]

Went Saturday and they didnt have it right on Thur , Fri or Sat A.M . Forecast changed. Our area must be hard to predict. I take the forecast time line [ Ie 7 days out ] and deduct 10% for each day. So 7 days X 10% [ subtract from 100%= 30% chance that will really happen. So the tomorrows forecast will only be 90% accurate at best. Unless they give you a NE wind with two numbers. Then you must add them together . The only 100% is when you are out in the boat then you know the weather.
Sorry but some might say I am over stating the accuracy.
Sanity said it .
Good luck and I hope you get the young one on some Looks like enjoys it.

[Kevin Smith]

I agree with all of the above. Bring the boat and your family, if it looks possible but expect the worst. It has been a real crap shoot this year. We've had supposed bad days turn out beautiful and supposed great days end up in the toilet. You can always ask who else is going so you know how many others and who to contact while you are out there, if you need advice about the weather or where the fish are biting. Here are some weather links including live wave action sites that really help. Strangely enough everyone around looks at multiple sites before making a decision to go or no go!!!

Marine Forecast : Weather Underground

FishWeather.com - VA- tidewater Wind Data

Intellicast.com - WINDcast - Richmond, VA

In addition check this formun in case one of us is looking out the window and giving a first hand report from their office or living room. We are not going to name anyone are we Dennis???

Hope you can put your son on some nice fish. It is always great to see family fishing photos!!!!

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[Getaway]

Go to windguru for excellent weather forecasts including wave height and timing between wave troughs, and air temps. Select Virginia Beach as the area you wish to look at.