Forecast Labratory vs Forecast Simulator

Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
189
Location
Tulsa, OK
Looking to put at least one of these on my Christmas list this year. For those that have used either or both products, which one would you recommend for working on your day of forecasting skills? I am not looking for a chaser game, but something to use in the off season as a training aid.

All comments appreciated.
 
I've got Forecast Laboratory and really enjoy it. It has its weaknesses--for instance, satellite images are often not present, and radar sometimes drops out--but its virtues outweigh them. If the Simulator had been available last year, I'd probably have bought it instead, because it's Tim's more recent effort, and from reading his description, I can see that it's the more refined version. I'll probably pick it up at some point, but the Lab is presently keeping me plenty entertained. Either of them is going to help you sharpen your forecasting skills. And with winter staring us in the face, what better way to stave off SDS?
 
Bought Forecast Simulator

I bought Forecast Simulator recently and my initial impression is quite good with a few problems/quirks.

I did a couple of test runs using the software without knowing what the forecast date was. I was off-base on one run and got the TW box in the right state on another run. Of course I cheated on one run where I knew the tornado was going to be and got good chaser results. :D

One of the problems/quirks I had was trying to set up my TW/SWW box on the forecast map. The click-drag makes the pologon box flip flop on me. First it was N-S, then it went E-W. ARRGHH! :mad:

I'm also a newbie when it comes to looking at soundings. Uh, are those lines supposed to criss-cross somewhere or what? :confused:

I didn't see any radar pictures on FS. Perhaps that's what makes FL better!

Overall, I would rate it very good. Makes for interesting reading and viewing on those cold, wintery days when you are down with SDS!! :cool:
 
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