Weather.com vs. Accuweather forecasts

[Mom2micayla]

Ok locals, which is more accurate?

We leave in 5 days and I'm seeing a big discrepency in the forecasts between the 2. Weather.com is showing rain Wed-Fri. Accuweather isn't showing any rain at all, just clouds.

This is a special trip with just my daughters so I'm really hoping that accuweather is correct. If it's not, that's obviously ok. We'll deal either way. Just hoping for the best and trying to decide if I should invest in rain gear (we don't have any, we live in the desert! ). Thanks!

 

[Sienna]

When we were planning for our trip in late January, I found Accuweather to be more 'pleasant' of the two weather sites. Weather.com showed rain all four days and, coming from the pacific northwest, I was expecting solid rain for four days. We ended up having a few downpours over a 2-day period, but plenty of nice weather inbetween. I wouldn't invest in a ton of raingear, maybe just some ponchos. BTW, the rain didn't slow us down at all. We still had fun!

 

[Husker Mickey]

I too had a hard time looking at the forecasts and trying to decide which one to trust. You know that it could change at any time. Best be prepared for a little rain. Most dollar stores carry rain ponchos. Grab what you need and have them just in case. We have never had to use them, but always had them packed, just in case.

 

[disneyluvbug]

I was thinking the same thing..which one is more reliable?? I already have packed more clothes than at first, not knowing what the weather will be like!!! We are driving down Wednesday..hope its not raining to much!!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

Oy, wouldn't you know it. Out of all the beautiful weather this month, next week is supposed to be more wintery than the beginning of the month. I sure hope that they are both wrong, and it's beautiful sun shiney weather.

 

[Harlie]

Yeah I am not too happy about the big difference. 3 days ago the forecast was for sunshine and highs of 80! Now it is all under 70 and there are even some 50's temps forcasted! I hope they are all wrong! I want the 80's!

We leave tongiht!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

It does seem like there is another "system" coming through which could account for the changing forcasts. It's extremely windy up here in the high desert for the last few days with today being worse than Wed and Thurs, so I would assume that there might be some storms to follow, but maybe they will push through faster and we still have a chance at no rain next week! Here's hoping!

 

[Quest4fun]

Both sites tend to forecast on the cooler side of things as they use weather information from other local sources then calculate a change based upon observed averages for the Anaheim. I know the national weather service has stations in Fullerton Airport and at John Wayne Airport so the definitely have to do a little math to predict figures for Anaheim.

A good rule of thumb is to add at least 5 degrees to weather.com and Weather Channel forecasts as they tend to guess on the low side. Rain forecasts are usually wrong as well. They can't tell you for sure until about a day or two before.

I used to live in front of the Weather Channel when I lived in Orange (next to Anaheim) and their rain forecasts were almost always wrong and during the Summer their forecasted highs were always 5 to 10 degrees cooler than what it actually was.

The Old Farmer's Almanac is a pretty good source for weather history. California is pretty much the same year after year.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

In February and March especially, the weather forecasts don't mean diddly in SoCal. I wouldn't pay any attention to what they are saying it's going to do in 5 days, because the forecast will probably change 4 times before then.

I live in San Diego, and there was no rain forecast for yesterday. It POURED most of the day, and even when it was raining, weather.com said it was cloudy with no rain in my zip code!

If it looks like rain on the day you go, pick up some rain gear on the way or when you get there, and enjoy the smaller crowds!

 

[alligator]

i always use weather.com. always. its easy to use, they get updated information, and i find the 10-day forecast really helpful!

 

[Quest4fun]

In February and March especially, the weather forecasts don't mean diddly in SoCal. I wouldn't pay any attention to what they are saying it's going to do in 5 days, because the forecast will probably change 4 times before then.

I live in San Diego, and there was no rain forecast for yesterday. It POURED most of the day, and even when it was raining, weather.com said it was cloudy with no rain in my zip code!

If it looks like rain on the day you go, pick up some rain gear on the way or when you get there, and enjoy the smaller crowds!

You are so very right. So very, very right.

Anaheim forcast: Sunny with chance of something.

 

[honeymom]

Try www.forecastadvisor.com.