There are times the CSC is fantastic like the time it predicted the transit
of a rather small clear sky patch over Fremont Peak and its predictions last
week at Pacheco Pass.
There are times when it is abysmal. An example of this is its predictions
for LSA two weeks ago. It also does not seem to account for local conditions
such as the nightly bay fog, clouds hanging on the mountains, or the effect
of increased humidity on transparency.
Today is tough because the weather is in the process of a major change.
They seem to only update the CSC forecast twice a day. I have been using
SJC (San Jose International) and Salinas aviation forecasts and the
prototype digital forecasts (which aren't working today) to supplement the
CSC. When there is a conflict I believe the local forecasts.
Today there is quite a weather difference between SJC and 10 mi south in
Almaden Valley. At noon we were socked in while Houge had scattered clouds.
Now it looks like all of south San Jose is socked in while areas closer to
the bay are almost clear. It is entirely possible today that the SJC
forecast could be correct and totally irrelevant to this location.
I treat the CSC as just another piece of info to be evaluated with all of
the other weather inputs. I would not place a lot of faith in the CSC today.
Rob Hawley