Is today a good day to go sailing? – live verdict
Check sailing wind, gusts, visibility, rain and forecast thunderstorms.
Choose your location to load today’s verdict and its reason. No current verdict is available until the forecast loads.
What makes a good sailing day
A sailing forecast needs to distinguish a useful breeze from a lull or a strong blow. The model uses gusts when available, with wind speed as a fallback, and weighs visibility, heavy rain and feels-like temperature. Thunderstorms, very strong wind and dense fog can cap the result. The verdict describes this weather model, not the capability of a particular boat.
Look beyond the departure hour to the return and any exposed part of the trip. This is not a marine forecast: wave height, swell, tides, currents and harbour restrictions are not included. Local shore effects and your crew’s experience can change the decision. Check the appropriate marine information and adjust sail plans to observed conditions.
| Changed input | Score | Verdict | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind input 5 km/h | 64/100 | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| Wind input 20 km/h | 100/100 | GO | None |
| Wind input 43 km/h | 64/100 | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| Wind input 53 km/h | 40/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
| Visibility 2500 m | 64/100 | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| Visibility 900 m | 40/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
| Thunderstorm code 95 | 10/100 | NO-GO | NO-GO |
Each example changes only the listed inputs from a dry, clear reference hour: air and feels-like temperature 18°C, steady wind and gusts 10 km/h, visibility 10 km, no precipitation, 0% precipitation probability and UV 0. These illustrative results are calculated from the same scoring functions as the live tool. Several penalties can combine into a lower verdict.
A score of 70–100 is GO, 45–69 MAYBE, and 0–44 NO-GO. A MAYBE cap limits the effective score to 64, and a NO-GO cap to 40. These are the app’s suitability bands, not certified safe operating limits.
Too little wind, or too much
The model gives no wind penalty between 10 and 35 km/h of its available wind input, using gusts when supplied. Above 42 km/h it caps at MAYBE and above 52 km/h at NO-GO. These are scoring settings, not Beaufort classifications, reefing instructions or a suitable range for every boat.
Fog is the quiet danger
Visibility matters independently of wind. The sailing model caps below 3 km visibility at MAYBE and below 1 km at NO-GO. The numerical forecast at a selected point does not describe every part of a passage, and neither cap measures actual visibility from the boat.
Plan the whole outing
Select the intended launch area and obtain the official marine forecast for the whole passage. Check the destination and return timing. Consult local notices and harbour advice independently. A green city forecast does not describe conditions offshore.
This model uses gust speed when available, otherwise steady wind. It does not model waves, swell, tide, current, sea state, visibility at sea beyond the selected point, boat stability or crew experience. Its wind numbers are not Beaufort classifications or instructions on when to reef.
Forecast inputs: Open-Meteo Weather Forecast API. Scoring and limitations: GoNoGo methodology. Send corrections through Contact. Model explanations checked against the deployed scoring code on 14 September 2026.
Optional equipment references
These category links are not field-tested product reviews. Check fit, specifications and suitability independently; equipment does not override the weather verdict.
Affiliate disclosure: these Amazon links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. They are optional category searches, not tested product endorsements.
Sailing weather FAQ
What is the ideal wind for sailing?
It depends on the boat, crew, water and passage. This model’s preferred wind-input band is not a universal ideal wind. Use the official marine forecast, boat limitations and passage planning separately.
Is fog dangerous when sailing?
Reduced visibility changes navigation requirements. This app caps below 3 km at MAYBE and below 1 km at NO-GO, but does not assess navigational conditions or the crew’s ability to operate in them.
Should I sail if thunderstorms are forecast?
Thunderstorm codes force NO-GO in this model. Follow marine warnings and local advice; the absence of a storm code at one point does not clear an entire passage.
On the water in other ways? Try the kitesurfing or fishing verdict, or start from the GoNoGo Weather home.