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Ash,
Unless Andrew chimes in heres one explanation
Yes - Total Cloud is probably the best tool, but dont ignore wind and rain
Transparency can also useful depending on what you are hoping to achieve.
Skippy Sky uses collected data (mostly from satellites I think) and then algorithms to extrapolate the weather into the future
Andrew has added in some of his own data processing as well to generate "Seeing"
So what the projections are telling you is purely statistical projections based on algorithms of what has happened and the statistical likelihood that based on the current activity the weather will be something like what it did in the past !
Its a really useful tool - and if its saying that in 4-6 hours time you'll be in the Dark Blue Cloud cover (aka 10) then its likely to be reasonably accurate and so go out and spend the time and effort setting up.
So I like to use it as a short term accurate predictor and a long term general indicator - ie is it worth checking back to see if its really going to be good or bad today or tomorrow.
If its red for a week - then its probably a good time to consider the TV guide ! and not bother making any effort to setup gear.
Using Skippy Sky in conjunction with local real time cloud radar - to check for movement across your particular patch of sky and aeronautical charts for upper temperature gradients (as an indicator for seeing) is worthwhile.
However - if you have your gear setup in an observatory - you can always get out and take advantage of those 1 hour patches of clear sky that nobody predicted !
Cheers
Rally
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