Weather Reports

A well planned dive increases enjoyment and satisfaction and decreases the risk of injury.
A poorly planned dive can result in disappointment, discomfort or injury.

There are many factors to consider when planning a day’s diving.

The weather and climate are just some of these factors.
New Zealand is one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to forecast the weather being that we are a small country surrounded by ocean.
The weather over New Zealand is mostly influenced by fast moving weather systems in the strong westerly winds that predominate over southern parts of the country and seas to the south.
Often though these westerlies are disrupted by large high pressure systems (that’s good!) or by storm systems (not so good!).

You need to know the wind and direction to pick the good sites.
You need to have an idea of the swell height to decide if you want to take that boat ride or just stick to a shore dive that day.  Check the tides to plan that shore dive safely.
If you are still not sure – talk to the experts.  FYI – thats the skippers.

The following sites are part of what I use to plan my dive days.

New Zealand Meterological Service
Auckland Recreational Marine Forecast – http://www.metservice.co.nz/public/marine/recreational-forecast-auckland.html

Marine Weather
Wind and swell maps which are well laid out – http://www.marineweather.co.nz/reports/index.php?regionid=20

MetVUW
Satellite images and forecast charts – http://www.metvuw.com/

SwellMap
Wave heights and wind speeds and directions – 24 hour and 7 day swell forecasts – http://www.swellmap.com/reg_forecasts.php?region=aucklandeast&location=marine#anchor

Buoy Weather
Not a free service but worth registering for – http://www.buoyweather.com

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