Windfinder Pro: Wind & Weather


Rating: 4.7	Downloads: 100,000+
Category: Weather	Offer by: Windfinder

Windfinder Pro: Wind & Weather is a comprehensive mobile application designed for serious sailors, windsurfers, kite surfers, and paragliders. It provides detailed and up-to-date information on wind conditions and forecasts, sourced from weather models and user reports across the globe. The app is tailored for anyone who relies on accurate weather intelligence to plan or execute water and air activities, ensuring optimal conditions are sought or avoided.

This powerful tool offers more than just basic forecasts; its key value lies in the combination of high-resolution weather predictions, real-time user observations from the ‘Wind Reports’ feature, and an extensive worldwide map showing wind conditions. Using Windfinder Pro: Wind & Weather allows enthusiasts to make informed decisions, whether planning days on the water or simply finding the best spots for impromptu adventures, significantly improving planning efficiency and the overall experience.

App Features

High Resolution World Wind Maps: Instantly access detailed wind maps covering the globe with high spatial resolution, showing predicted and observed wind strength and direction. This enables users to quickly find the perfect conditions for their planned activity, whether it’s offshore sailing, beach windsurfing, or mountain paragliding, by simply zooming and panning across the map to locate the desired wind spot.
Multi-Day Weather Forecast Integration: Leverage advanced meteorological models to view detailed weather predictions for up to 10 days. The feature provides comprehensive data including temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, and crucially, the predicted wind patterns derived from reliable global forecasts. This significantly improves long-term planning by allowing users to anticipate wind shifts or weather changes before heading out, ensuring trips are timed perfectly.
Real-time Wind Reports (Wind Reports): Benefit from a vast network of users submitting current wind observations at specific locations and times, often with photos. This crowdsourced data provides invaluable ground truthing against the forecasts, especially at coastal spots, beaches, or inland lakes where model accuracy might be challenged. It solves the problem of knowing if the predicted winds are actually materializing and helps users find unexpected or localised wind pockets, enhancing the reliability of the information.
Almanac & Tide Tables: Utilize comprehensive sailing almanacs and detailed tide and current data integrated within the app. This feature is typically used for planning offshore voyages, understanding astronomical tides for coastal navigation or access, or knowing high and low tide times for precise water level-dependent activities. It makes the app a versatile planning tool by combining wind forecasts with essential marine information, streamlining departure or return planning significantly.
Customisable Alerts & Bookmarks: Set personalised alerts for specific locations or conditions (e.g., wind speed exceeding 25 knots) and easily navigate back to favourite spots with custom markers and saved searches. This saves considerable time during pre-departure checks and helps users stay informed about critical changes relevant only to their interests, making it invaluable for frequent users who monitor specific areas or conditions, and tailoring the experience to individual needs for efficiency.
Offline Mode & Data Caching: Access critical wind data even in areas with poor or no mobile signal thanks to the app’s ability to download and store map layers and forecasts for later use. This unique feature supports users on remote trips or in regions with limited connectivity, ensuring they have the essential information needed on the go, enhancing usability in challenging environments or during extended excursions far from service coverage.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Detailed Worldwide Wind Data
Real-time User Reports via Map
Extensive Forecast Horizon
Comprehensive Almanac & Tide Data

Cons:

Occasional Forecast Model Delays
Data Usage Can Be High
Interface Can Be Cluttered
Some Features Require Premium Upgrade

Similar Apps

App Name	Highlights
Windguru Forecast Builder	Known for its powerful customisation features and detailed charts. Allows users to build complex weather overlays and visualise data in various formats.
WindScanner	Focuses on real-time wind conditions and integrates social media for user reports. Emphasises live data streams and community interaction.
WindCloud	Highlights include radar integration for wind fields, a user-friendly interface, and a strong focus on coastal and lake wind patterns. Often praised for its visual simplicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often are the wind forecasts updated in Windfinder Pro?
A: The core forecast data typically refreshes every 2-3 hours to align with the original meteorological model outputs. However, the real-time ‘Wind Reports’ layer, showing user-submitted conditions, is constantly updated as new observations come in, providing near-instantaneous ground-level information.

Q: Can I use Windfinder Pro without an internet connection once I’m out on the water?
A: Yes, you can. After downloading necessary data (like map layers or forecasts) while connected, the app’s ‘Offline Mode’ allows you to view that pre-loaded information without an active internet connection. This is crucial for accessing data in remote locations or areas with poor signal coverage.

Q: How does the ‘Wind Reports’ feature work exactly?
A: Users worldwide voluntarily submit their current wind observations by tapping specific points on the map, often including photos and timestamps. Your device receives all these submissions, filtered by proximity and recency, displaying them as colourful icons directly overlaid on the forecast maps, giving you an immediate view of what others are experiencing nearby.

Q: Is Windfinder Pro available for both iOS and Android devices?
A: Yes, Windfinder Pro: Wind & Weather is available for download on both the App Store for iOS devices (iPhone/iPad) and the Google Play Store for Android smartphones and tablets.

Q: What is the difference between the free trial version and the premium subscription?
A: The free trial offers a limited time to explore the app’s core features, including basic forecasts and limited Wind Reports. The premium subscription unlocks the full potential: it enables all map layers, all forecast models, unlimited historical data access, and the full ‘Wind Reports’ feature with user contributions across the globe, making it essential for serious users needing constant, comprehensive information.