safe cape ann spot for 05/11?

[gurumasta]

i am planning a dive tomorrow but have no idea how to tell what spots will be calm due to weather/wind. tomorrow is supposed to be

Wind: ENE 12 mph
Max. Humidity: 87%
UV Index: 5 Moderate

in gloucester. what is a safe spot for a dive? thanks, derek

 

[MSilvia]

In theory, you want to look at a map and pick a spot that's sheltered from the wind and waves. In practice, I usually drive past my favorite spots and see how they look before I bother with that.

In my experience, the marine forecast is a lot more relevant than the humidity and UV index.
http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmt...Zone+Forecast<BR>Merrimack,+MA+to+Chatham,+MA

Also, you can get current conditions by calling NOAA Automated Weather Buoy 44013
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44013

To access Dial-A-Buoy, dial (228) 688-1948 using any touch tone or cell phone. Assuming you know the identifier of the station whose report you need, enter 1. Then, enter the five-digit (or character) station identifier, followed by the # sign, in response to the prompt. The system will ask you to confirm that your entry was correct by pressing 1. After a few seconds, you will hear the latest buoy or C-MAN observation read via computer- generated voice.

 

[gurumasta]

In theory, you want to look at a map and pick a spot that's sheltered from the wind and waves. In practice, I usually drive past my favorite spots and see how they look before I bother with that.

In my experience, the marine forecast is a lot more relevant than the humidity and UV index.
http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmt...Zone+Forecast<BR>Merrimack,+MA+to+Chatham,+MA

Also, you can get current conditions by calling NOAA Automated Weather Buoy 44013
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44013

To access Dial-A-Buoy, dial (228) 688-1948 using any touch tone or cell phone. Assuming you know the identifier of the station whose report you need, enter 1. Then, enter the five-digit (or character) station identifier, followed by the # sign, in response to the prompt. The system will ask you to confirm that your entry was correct by pressing 1. After a few seconds, you will hear the latest buoy or C-MAN observation read via computer- generated voice.

thank you very much for that.

 

[matt_unique]

Totally boring 15' dive on a sandy bottom, but always calm enough to dive. If I am desperate to shore dive in rough weather I will hit that spot and just practice skills....

Otherwise, check the map and see what sites are sheltered from the wind as the other Matt suggested. Does not necessarily mean good sea conditions but that is always the safest bet.

Of course, the marine forecast can be 100% off too. My first day out on the boat this year called for 3-5' seas and 20mph winds. We had nothing more than 2' seas and it was a great day.

--Matt