@loud-fast
Have you tried the different models available in Windy for your area? For instance HRRR and NAM.
Apparently HRRR provided better wind speed prediction with 14 mph compared to a local weather station near Pinellas reporting 15 mph.
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BTW I never heard about estimating the wind speed by large or small white caps. As shown by this table of Beaufort scale modified for the US, it is the quantity of white caps which enables to estimate the wind speed.
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