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| Why PredictWind? |
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| Why get a Marine Wind Forecast from PredictWind?
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Click Here to view the 3 resolution models available for your local area! |
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Proven Technology
The weather model we use is proven technology used by the winner of the last 2 America's Cups. Don't settle for second best!
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Highest Resolution on Web = Better Accuracy
A weather model that is operated at a higher resolution, will result in more accurate forecasts. Our weather model is run on an incredible 1km resolution grid (most other models available use a 60km resolution grid) What does that mean? At 60km resolution, all forecasted wind speed/directions are the same within that 60km area.
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Detailed Forecasts for your Local Area
Most marine forecasts give you a generalized forecast in the morning or afternoon. PredictWind shows updates every hour, with a wind speed and direction map for your entire local area. The detail you can see in the forecast, can help plan your trip, or win your next yacht race.
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Confidence Level of the Forecast
A weather model is only as good as the information entered into the model. We use two data sources for the model, to produce two alternative forecasts for comparison. This gives you a high level of confidence, an essential requirement of good forecasting.
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Easily Accessible
You can view the detailed forecast information of YOUR local area, within seconds of logging into the site. How do you prefer to view your forecast? Maps or Graphs and even a text format on a mobile phone. For advanced users we have a GRIB format for your Navigation Software. |
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Why is Resolution Important?
Most model information on the internet is generated at 60km resolution. This means that the atmosphere is viewed by the model as 60 km square columns.
Predictwind can scale down to either 1km or 8km resolution for your region of interest. This means that topographical features such as hills, mountains, headlands are all factored into the calculations of the model. In addition local winds, such as sea breezes, are captured at the 1km resolution, which would not feature in a 60km resolution model. |
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Learn more about the Technology...
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| The Model Forecast Process |
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| 1. The initial conditions (input file) is entered into the model. This file can be comparable to a "photographic" snapshot that contains the current state of the earth's atmosphere. PredictWind sources two of these files (one from the US, the other from Canada), so you have a comparative result to give you confidence in the forecast. |
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| 2. 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. |
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| 3. This process is then repeated for the 8km model run, though it is "nudged" by the 60km model run. |
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| 4. 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. |
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| 5. Forecast maps and graphs and text are generated for the 20,000 worldwide forecast locations. |
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| 6. An optional email notifies you of a forecast update. |
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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, setup 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 modeling. 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! |
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