Why PredictWind Forecast

1) Proven Technology

The weather model we use is proven technology as used by champion sailors around the world. Don't settle for second best! Read the comments from top sailors around the world

2) High Resolution = Better Accuracy

A weather model that is operated at a higher resolution will result in more accurate wind weather forecasts. The PredictWind weather model is run on a 1 km resolution grid where many other weather models use a 60 km resolution grid.

What does that mean? Please view the Resolution Video to gain an understanding of this important point.

3) Detailed Forecasts for your Local Area

Most marine forecasts give you a generalised wind forecast in the morning or the afternoon. PredictWind shows wind weather updates every hour, with a wind speed and direction map for your entire local area. The detail you can see in the marine forecast can help you plan your trip or possibly win your next yacht race. Click here to check our wind forecast coverage of your local area.

4) High Confidence Level in the Forecast

A weather model is only as good as the information entered into the model. PredictWind uses two data sources for the model producing two alternative forecasts for comparison. The closer the wind forecast, the more confidence you can have in the PredictWind wind forecast.

5) Easily Accessible

You can view the detailed marine forecast information of your local area, within seconds of logging into the site. You can view maps, graphs or text-formatted versions accessible via your mobile phone. For advanced users we have a GRIB format for your navigation software.

6) Weather Routing

Find the quickest or safest route on your next trip. PredictWind has the world´s first online weather routing service. Simply drag the start and end waypoints on the Google map, and the PredictWind server will calculate the fastest route or the most comfortable route for your boat using the high resolution 1km-8km or 100km wind forecasts.  The comfortable route allows you to avoid sailing upwind in strong winds. You decide your tolerance level, and the PredictWind routing algorithm will do its best to avoid these areas. You simply need to select a polar curve that matches your boat, or customize your own polar curve. There is no software to install, and the optimal path is calculated for both PredictWind forecasts.

7) Trip Planner

What is the best day for depart on your next trip coastal or offshore passage? You will be spanning different weather patterns, and this powerful tool will quickly summarize the wind conditions you will receive if you left on Day1, Day2, Day3, or Day4. Simply drag the start and destination waypoints on the Google Map, the weather routing algorithm will calculate the fastest route  (avoiding the land) and summarize the forecast wind data for the next 4 days of departure.

8 ) Real Time Wind Observations

Check the real-time wind observations to see which PredictWind model forecast is giving the best prediction.  Let us know some of your favorite wind observation sites in your local area, and we will do our best to add them to the PredictWind site.

 

 

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How Does PredictWind Create a Forecast?

PredictWind uses a sophisticated weather model using data from two sources taking into account the effect of local geography on wind strength and direction. Developed over 30 years by leading research scientists it has been used by the America’s Cup winning Alinghi team. PredictWind provides: Hour by hour daily predictions of wind strength and direction for your selected locations in either text or graphical format. Local maps overlaid with a one square kilometre grid showing pictorial representations of wind strength and direction in hourly steps for one day ahead. Regional maps overlaid with an eight square kilometre grid showing pictorial representations of wind strength and direction in three hourly steps for five days ahead. Offshore maps overlaid with a sixty square kilometre grid showing pictorial representations of wind strength and direction in three hourly steps for five days ahead. Daily and by-the-hour local forecasts in both text and graphical formats. Five day by three-hour regional and offshore forecasts in both text and graph formats. Downloadable GRIB file forecast. Text forecasts on your mobile phone.

The Model Forecast Process:

The initial conditions files are entered into the model. The files can be comparable to a "photographic" snapshot that contains the current state of the earth's atmosphere. PredictWind uses two sources for these files (from the USA and Canada) so you have a comparative result to give you confidence in the forecast. The 60km resolution model forecasts (imagine dividing up the atmosphere into many 60km*60km square regions), centered on your local area, starts with these initial condition files and steps forward in time to create a 5day forecast. For each 60km*60km region, the model uses many complex equations to calculate all meteorological fields, such as wind, temperature, humidity, pressure, rain and their interaction. This process is then repeated for the 8km model run, though it is "nudged" by the 60km model run. Finally the 1km resolution model is completed, which is "nudged" by the 8km model run. Significant computing resources are required to run the model in this configuration for all the PredictWind locations around the world. Wind forecast maps and graphs and text are generated for the 20,000 worldwide forecast locations. An optional email notifies you of a forecast update. This process is repeated automatically every 12hrs for both initial sources (i.e. 4 forecasts every day). There is no historical data involved, so each 12hr forecast is independent from the previous.

Model Physics

All weather models use different physics, set up parameters, and many complex equations to calculate meteorological data such as wind speed, direction, temperature, pressure, rain and cloud. The model used is exclusive to PredictWind. It has been developed over 25years by a team of research scientists, and has some unique features including a stretched grid. This stretched grid is the framework for the 60/8/1km resolution modelling. This enables the model to run without any boundaries, and is thus less constrained than other models that usually require significant damping. This sophisticated approach often reflects considerable variability in wind speed and direction, and is an advantage over other models. The model setup and tuning is done by the professional team who worked for the 2003/2007 America's Cup Winner. It is proven technology! Click Here to experience the benefits of a PredictWind forecast