Community Forums

Jack Wilkinson · 01-12-2005, 08:18 AM

How do you check the weather?

On the road I listen to local radio stations and use my CB. I don't have one of the new XM Satellite radios, but I guess they are pretty good.

But, when getting ready to depart for a road trip, using my computer, I found that looking at NOAA's Graphical Forecast- CONUS Area helps.

http://weather.gov/forecasts/graphic.../conusLoop.php

As a Loop, it really helps to visualizing what in route weather might be encountered. It also helps to determine when to start driving, if you have the luxury to pick your start time.

You can select any of the following attributes to see a five day loop:
Maximum Temperature
Minimum temperature
Probability of Precip
Weather (Rain, Snow, Fog, Mix, Ice, Haze, None)
Temperature and Wind
Dewpoint
Sky Cover
Amount of Precip
Snow Amount
Wave Height

Being a government site, there are no "pop-ups" to deal with compared to some of the other free commercial weather services available on the internet. We're paying for it, it's free, might as well use it!

I am currently at home using cable and I suspect that this would not work to well with a dial-up modem. Might work OK with WIFI in a campground or at a truck stop thought.

Jack

Jack Wilkinson · 01-12-2005, 08:18 AM

How do you check the weather?

On the road I listen to local radio stations and use my CB. I don't have one of the new XM Satellite radios, but I guess they are pretty good.

But, when getting ready to depart for a road trip, using my computer, I found that looking at NOAA's Graphical Forecast- CONUS Area helps.

http://weather.gov/forecasts/graphic.../conusLoop.php

As a Loop, it really helps to visualizing what in route weather might be encountered. It also helps to determine when to start driving, if you have the luxury to pick your start time.

You can select any of the following attributes to see a five day loop:
Maximum Temperature
Minimum temperature
Probability of Precip
Weather (Rain, Snow, Fog, Mix, Ice, Haze, None)
Temperature and Wind
Dewpoint
Sky Cover
Amount of Precip
Snow Amount
Wave Height

Being a government site, there are no "pop-ups" to deal with compared to some of the other free commercial weather services available on the internet. We're paying for it, it's free, might as well use it!

I am currently at home using cable and I suspect that this would not work to well with a dial-up modem. Might work OK with WIFI in a campground or at a truck stop thought.

Jack

Moby Bill · 01-12-2005, 12:28 PM

At homewith the internet, I get detailed five day forecasts for locations at http://www.wunderground.com/ It gives wind speeds, temps, cloud cover etc. Also has almanac information for longer range planning. In remote areas without local radio or TV, I depend on XM radio for regional forecasts. It works for us.

CyberVet65 · 01-12-2005, 02:39 PM

On the road? I check the local library with the free computer and use weather.com for local forecasts.
Chet

Ken Lenger · 01-12-2005, 05:56 PM

I look out the window.

Kablewizard · 01-12-2005, 06:20 PM

I also look out the windows,

I love the weather channel, use it at home before leaving, and set up my satellite dish when we stop. Also a weather radio is nice to have for nights or any storm that may arise anytime.

Rich & Zara · 01-12-2005, 09:54 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ken Lenger:
I look out the window. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok Ken, that is not a very good answer. You could had at least told us which direction the window is facing, i.e., North, South, etc.

Rich

Ken Lenger · 01-13-2005, 05:46 PM

... and then there was the forcast for Fairbanks AK for the evening of June 20, 2004 ... "sunny and mild".

full-timer · 01-14-2005, 08:31 AM

Weather Channel,local news media on the tv set.
Joe
An Indian and a Gypsy

firesafety912 · 01-14-2005, 10:24 AM

I use the weather channel on the comput...we have one of those "weather radios" that Winnebago brags on, but out here in the wild, wild, west, there are numerous places where the thing won't pickup a broadcast...so it is a useless accessory...Happy Trails

TEO · 01-14-2005, 12:00 PM

I use http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...st?query=34452

Put in your zip code and get a detailed weather report of your area. You can also search by city location to see what is in store for you at your destination.

Paul

jcarew · 01-24-2005, 12:52 PM

We have a weather radio from Radio shack that gives us the local weather automatically from wherever we are in USA. works good,cheap,simple. may have to buy new batteries someday.