Chance of showers

Chance of showers is the forecast probability that brief, localised rain showers will affect your boating area during a stated period. In marine forecasts it does not mean continuous rain; showers may be patchy, moving quickly across a bay, coastal route, or offshore leg, with some vessels staying dry while others nearby are hit.

For boaters, showers can bring sudden visibility reduction, slippery decks, cooler air, and short-lived wind shifts or gusts, especially near squall lines. A higher probability should be considered alongside Rain, Rainfall, and Forecast Confidence when timing a departure, selecting foul-weather gear, or deciding whether to reef early.

PredictWind forecasts show shower risk through rain maps, tables, and model comparisons from sources such as ECMWF, GFS, and ICON. Offshore crews can download GRIB data via the Offshore App to monitor changing shower patterns during a passage.