Sat or Sunday for Ft Wetherill

[ScubaSarus]

Well I will have 2 major test behind me Thursday and if I survive I should be out there diving with our videographer. Anyone know which should be the best day to dive. I am completly out of touch with conditions right now. We may want to dive around the island.

 

[Diesel298]

both days are gonna be in the mid to high 40's
and overcast...
dont know what the marine forcast is yet... too far out

 

[bobf]

I've been lurking in this forum for a while now and finally have something to offer. I thought this as good a time as ever to join in. Here's a link that auto updates itself every time the National Weather Service (NOAA) comes out with its latest forecast. The area in this NOAA forecast is for Block Island Sound and surrounding waters.

http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/coastal/an/anz237.txt

As soon as I get to my other computer, I'll upload the link to the Narragansett Bay NOAA forecast.

If the winds are out of the South, I'd assume that the Sound forecast may be a better indicator of what you might expect. If the winds are from another direction, then the Bay forecast, , which is usually much calmer, might be relevant. Sometimes you'll see wording in the forecasts such as "expect higher seas at the Bay entrance".

Of course, when dealing with these forecasts, expect anything, iow, be prepared. Mariners out there may recognize that the links provided offer the exact script read by the computer generated voices on VHF NOAA weather radio.

btw, I agree with Diesel, knowing how fast these forecasts can change, it may still be too far out to predict the sea conditions...........

hth,
b

 

[bobf]

here's the Narragansett Bay link to the National Weather Service Marine forecast:

http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/coastal/an/anz236.txt

As of now, the forecast for Saturday on the Bay calls for:

SAT
W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING SW 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO
20 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.

Another site I like to review when planning trips is hosted by the Hartford Courant. It includes the Rhode Island Sound~Block Island Sound forecast and tides, all combined on a single web page:

http://weather.courant.com/MAR/AN/233.html

If there's any chance of current at a dive site, knowing the tide may indicate how strong the current may be at a given time. Current charts also offer information that can be useful in predicting the safest time to dive certain sites.

regards,
b

 

[ScubaSarus]

I have been looking for a current chart for the Narr Bay for ages. I have a set for Long Island. If you know of were to get a set for Narr Bay, please let me know

 

[gfisher4792]

I think that link is as close as you'll get for Narr. Bay from the National Weather Service. I use it occaisionally, and it covers from Watch Hill up to Mass.

Too bad you missed out on diving there last Sat.; light breeze, full sun and as close to glass-like water as I've seen there. Gidds almost ran me over trying to get a bug!

 

[RIOceanographer]

NOAA has a site for accessing any forecasts for our region:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/

Click anywhere in that map to access either the land or marine forecast for that location.

 

[bobf]

I have been looking for a current chart for the Narr Bay for ages. I have a set for Long Island. If you know of were to get a set for Narr Bay, please let me know

Eldridge Tide and Pilot book is one option. I also used that publication when piloting through Vineyard Sound. When timed properly, it's possible to gain a couple of knots of speed through the Vineyard Sound. If not, you could easily lose a couple of knots. Even more drastic is the Cape Cod Canal.

I have also seen similar tide and current charts for Narragansett Bay in the appendix of A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts by Childress, Childress, and Martin (McGraw Hill).

In general, an hour before or after high or low tide is when the least amount of current is experienced. Three hours after or before high or low tide is when the most current is usually observed. Again this is a very general guideline and studying the charts for each specific area is recommended.

Ironically most tidal current charts date back to the 1930's...........

hth,
b