Evaluate PredictWind against the conditions and decisions that matter to you. A forecast that is useful for a passage may not match a small sheltered launch exactly. There is no app-wide percentage that resolves that difference.
This page does not claim a controlled test of PredictWind’s models. Earlier references to an unpublished Windy test have been removed; they cannot establish PredictWind’s performance.
Define the comparison before you start
Choose one question: the timing of a wind shift, average wind at a location, gusts, or whether a planned wind range was reached. Record the chosen model, the time you saved the forecast and its target hour.
If you compare with another app, check those inputs there too. A newer forecast is not the same test as one saved the previous day. Two displays of the same underlying model are not independent evidence.
Keep a small observation log
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Forecast | Model, issue or saved time, target hour |
| Wind | Predicted and observed average speed in the same units |
| Gusts | Record separately from average wind |
| Direction | Predicted and observed bearing |
| Observation | Station location, exposure and timestamp |
| Notes | Missing data and conditions the station may not represent |
Start with several days and retain both misses and close matches. Do not fill in absent observations. If you publish a result, include the period, sample count and matching rules so readers can assess it.
Use an observation appropriate to the question
A shore sensor can be useful for a nearby spot but may not represent open-water conditions. Exposure, land effects and distance matter. Evaluate a route using the information appropriate to that route rather than extrapolating a single beach reading.
For a local comparison method, see our forecast accuracy guide. Use the wind-speed converter if the two sources use different units.
Decide whether the product fits the job
Consult PredictWind’s current product information for the models and planning features available in each plan. Identify the capability you need before deciding whether a subscription is worthwhile.
For a software comparison, read PredictWind vs Windy. If the remaining task is noticing local measured wind, a WindUp station alarm can sit alongside your planning tools. It is not a replacement for passage planning or a guarantee of local conditions.
