Reliability of Different Weather Sites

[Darkside]

What do you all think?

I look at the NWS website and Weather.com for the immediate forecast, seems like NWS is usually updated a bit faster than weather.com, but when used together, they end up being pretty accurate for up to 3-5 days out.

I guess my real question is, what's the deal with Accuweather.com? I use it occasionally, mainly because they have a 15 day forecast, while NWS does 7 day, Weather.com does 10 day. Can you accurately predict a 15 day forecast for the West Coast? How does one do this? I assume by looking at satelite images from the S. Pacific, and looking at pressure systems moving towards the jetstream. Anywhere to see this data? I can't seem to find it on any sites.

[gravitylover]

Ask your weather questions here:

http://www5.wright-weather.com/bb/fo....php?forumid=6

This board has a pretty solid group of weather weenies and quite a few pros that post frequently. It is a little more biased towards the right coast but there are more posters from out west than there used to be. I think if you ask questions the folks there will answer to the best of their knowledge and they will certainly have links for you for the best websites around for what you're looking for.

[Skidancer]

NOAA is where all the others get their info....I love to read the Forecast Discussion after looking at a specific area, but then I love charts and graphs (and bells and whistles. Tee Hee!) You can find more info about weather than you ever wanted (or could think possible...)

[Artie Fufkin]

I just started checking out NOAA a few days ago, and in my opinion it appears to be more up to date than weather.com, accuweather, etc, also it pretty easy to pinpoint a certain area. Also it's forecasting a potential for 10"-20" at Wolf Creek pass for the next 24hrs, that's good.

[milton]

NOAA is where all the others get their info....I love to read the Forecast Discussion after looking at a specific area..

I second that. The forecast discussion are pretty technical but with some basic knowledge you can gleam some good info.

I also just found this glossary of terms used in the discussion.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/afdterms.htm

And for maps, loops, and anything else you could possibly want:
http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/ewall.html

I'd like to find an index of all the forecast discussions nationwide, anybody know of one?

[TeleAl]

I avoid the forecasts and look instead at current conditions, as well as sat images, and of course, the more important history (where did the snow fall? past tense).

This site is Euro specific, but maybe a similar one exists near you:
http://www.eyesonsky.com/meteos.php

Check it out for the types of data available.
I find it to be an excellent resource.

The more you look, the more you learn. Good luck.