What forecast model do you use in Windy and Why

Hi Guys

I got caught out the other day with much stronger winds than I expected in the forecast on Windy, had to cut the trip short due to the waves.

Looking closer at the app there are a bunch of different forecast models that seem to give different results. As an example I am looking at the weather tomorrow and the ECMWF model is showing snow while the NAM model is showing rain here in Vancouver. Curious as to what everyone uses as their forecast model and why.

Thanks
Bouy weather is decent
 
Most are probably already all over this, but today is just another example of why Windy isn't particularly reliable. Not just for forecasting, but even just for current weather. Today off Point Holmes (Lazo) Comox, the airport weather station is currently reporting winds SE 33 gusts 44 (km/h), the webcam pointing SE at Point Holmes boat ramp shows this to be accurate (see screenshot), while the Windy app shows current conditions in the same area as E 1 knot. I'll definitely be leaning towards the airport, lighthouse, and marine buoy stations for current conditions.Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 3.45.28 PM.pngScreenshot 2025-08-06 at 3.44.03 PM.png
 
Most are probably already all over this, but today is just another example of why Windy isn't particularly reliable. Not just for forecasting, but even just for current weather. Today off Point Holmes (Lazo) Comox, the airport weather station is currently reporting winds SE 33 gusts 44 (km/h), the webcam pointing SE at Point Holmes boat ramp shows this to be accurate (see screenshot), while the Windy app shows current conditions in the same area as E 1 knot. I'll definitely be leaning towards the airport, lighthouse, and marine buoy stations for current conditions.View attachment 119331View attachment 119332

Yup. Nothing tops actual data.
 
Most are probably already all over this, but today is just another example of why Windy isn't particularly reliable. Not just for forecasting, but even just for current weather. Today off Point Holmes (Lazo) Comox, the airport weather station is currently reporting winds SE 33 gusts 44 (km/h), the webcam pointing SE at Point Holmes boat ramp shows this to be accurate (see screenshot), while the Windy app shows current conditions in the same area as E 1 knot. I'll definitely be leaning towards the airport, lighthouse, and marine buoy stations for current conditions.View attachment 119331View attachment 119332


You can add the real-time weather reports to Windy. It's not on by default, but if you open the menu and then under "display more layers" you can add "reported wind"
 

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Windy is not that reliable in my opinion. Probably sends a lot of folks out in wind that is in reality much stronger than windy “predicted”. ECVI and WCVI I’ve found this when I’ve compared reality to their consistent favourable forecast. Sounds like everyone has their preferred other options and then in the end if you choose to go you just have to have your nose out spot and threshold for turning back. We are lucky around where I live and fish out front as we have a 1 hour delayed environment canada (ECCC) yellow ODAS buoy that gives up to date wind and sea state, which can be found under “weather conditions” tab on the ECCC marine forecast webpage for your area. Buoys are red circles. Green squares are land based stations like airports, not representative of actual sea level conditions like the buoys. Not every area has a buoy like this in their fishing area unfortunately.
 
Windy is not that reliable in my opinion. Probably sends a lot of folks out in wind that is in reality much stronger than windy “predicted”. ECVI and WCVI I’ve found this when I’ve compared reality to their consistent favourable forecast. Sounds like everyone has their preferred other options and then in the end if you choose to go you just have to have your nose out spot and threshold for turning back. We are lucky around where I live and fish out front as we have a 1 hour delayed environment canada (ECCC) yellow ODAS buoy that gives up to date wind and sea state, which can be found under “weather conditions” tab on the ECCC marine forecast webpage for your area. Buoys are red circles. Green squares are land based stations like airports, not representative of actual sea level conditions like the buoys. Not every area has a buoy like this in their fishing area unfortunately.
I use the Windy APP pay version, it's spot on and has isobars, wind, rain, real time etc...
 
I use Buoyweather.com and find it very accurate. Think it’s around $100/year. I can use it when I’m in Mexico too
 
I use all of them (with a grain of salt), and then also look pressure drops along the island. In the southern JDF I good predictor is to look at pressure gradient. Big swings it will get ugly. https://bigwavedave.ca/pressure-gradient.html

Remember also this time of year it's more about what the current is doing then anything. Winter it is a different story. Winter opposing wind and current even slightly can be gross.

In Nanaimo for example I look at what is going on Gabriola Passage so I can judge current direction etc. Wind opposing current it will stack up. Doesn't matter what your wind forecast says.

Anyone ever interested the power squadron weather course is great to take. I found it pretty valuable.
 
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You can add the real-time weather reports to Windy. It's not on by default, but if you open the menu and then under "display more layers" you can add "reported wind"
That works great! Thanks for the tip.
Seems to be a few missing though.
 
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