On Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:14:36 -0500, iBoaterer wrote:

Yeah. Again, I'm interested in the SCIENCE of meteorology, not the fluff
that repeats it.

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We've had the pleasure of having a real meteorologist on the boat a
few times while providing support for sailing regattas. I always
enjoy talking to him about the tools and data sources that he uses.
One thing he relies on a lot for localized wind forecasts is weather
baloon data, particularly at around 3,000 feet of elevation. It
turns out that the wind speed and direction aloft eventually affects
the surface winds as the day progresses and things warm up. As the
surface air warms, it convects upward and mixes with the wind at
higher altitudes. That is the reason afternoon breezes are generally
stronger than in the early morning.

A good source for amateur forecasters is the downloadable GFS forecast
model data. I use a free software package called "ViewFax" which can
create customized weather models on your PC in highly understandable
graphical format - much better than anything you will ever see on
television. It is very easy to see the weather systems develop and
gain an understanding of what is driving them.