Weather Predictions
Our method for canceling scheduled events:
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
Our method for canceling scheduled events:
We tend to stick to one application/website to ensure everyone can make a good determination about our being in the field for a scheduled night. We will also tend to not post cancellations here or on social media, but want to provide those wishing to attend a reasonable way of knowing if we will cancel. We will use the following standardized method using meteoblue.com. Please click the button below to go to the site used for this.
Step 1. Set the location
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
Our method for canceling scheduled events:
For most of our events, either Blowing Rock or Jefferson will suffice for the location.
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
For reasonable weather predictions less than a week out to 72 hours out go to the desktop app and go to forecast --> meteograms --> "all in one". This will display a graphic similar to the one above. It will tell you just about everything you need to know for the scheduled event including the temperature low, expected cloud coverage, and wind speed. Very cool!
3. Once 48 -72 hours from the event.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
2. Look at the long range forecast if planning more than 72 hours out.
From 72 hours out of the event you can see the astronomical seeing forecast by going to Outdoor & Sports --> Astronomical Seeing. Here you will see a graphical representation of cloud coverage and seeing and visibility indexes. We will base our cancellation off of this chart. If either the high, medium, or low cloud percentages are above 50% for the majority of the event, we will cancel. Note that this chart can change very radically from 72 hours prior to <24 hours prior.
4. View satellite cloud coverage imagery.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
One of the best things about this site is that you can load and view satellite imagery fairly quickly. On the day of the event, take a look at where the clouds are moving in the region by going to 7-Day Weather and scrolling to the Live Satellite Map. This is very helpful when trying to decide if it will be an excellent night out.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
5. Please pay special attention to the temperature low and wind.
Two things that are easily overlooked are the temperature low and the wind speed. The best astronomy nights are enjoyed when everyone is warm and it isn't too windy. ALWAYS BRING EXTRA LAYERS!!! It WILL get colder than you think it will. We have had incredibly hot days where people come out expecting to last in a single layer only to find out that they expected wrong.