About this page
A listing of some of the many sources of forecasts generated from GFS and other GRIB files.Some products derived from the GFS files include finer scale forecasts, where noted.
Note
In addition to this list, there are services provided by chart plotting companies using the same data. See their websites for details. Many of the sites listed are ones that I have looked at, read about or used. There are more services available, but they will all be similar to those listed here. I will try to add other sources and correct those listed here as advised by users or suppliers.
Communication costs depend upon data volumes. A reasonably large sized area of winds at 1/2 degree spacing for 5 days at 6 hour intervals can cost less than 10p using GPRS, not roaming. This could be by email or FTP. Web based products will generally require substantial bandwidth because of the graphics and advertising logos/gimmicks.
Various pages on this site discuss the use of forecasts and what lies behind them. Sailors might find my main Using GRIB page to be a good starting point.'''
This page is a summary of a more detailed GRIB listing on another page.
|
Supplier |
Via |
Models |
Pay |
About the service |
|
|
GFS |
No |
Most flexible – allows variable intervals, several elements, 7+ days. Repeat request facility. Precise formatting required. COAMPS meso-scale only for US waters and Caribbean. Compatible with most viewers. | |
|
|
GFS |
No |
Simpler than Saildocs, less flexible, 7 days. Most viewers | |
|
FTP |
GFS |
No |
One of the two easiest of all to use. Not quite as many options as Saildocs. 7 days. Area selection on chart. Message format same as Saildocs. Can use own viewer or most others | |
|
FTP |
GFS |
No |
The second of the two easiest of all to use. Not quite as many options as Saildocs. 7 days. Area selection on chart. Linux and Windows versions. | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
No |
Easy to use. 6 days. Small chartlets | |
|
FTP |
GFS |
No |
On registration. Similar to UGrib in use but less flexible. Free part of a coomercial service. 5 days. | |
|
FTP |
Meso |
Yes |
0.1° grid over Atlantic/Europe 4 days.. 0.02° over English Channel 2 days. | |
|
FTP* |
GFS |
No |
On registration. Similar to UGrib in its FTP form, but a little less flexible. One day only but gives GFS and CMC (Canadian). | |
|
FTP* |
GFS |
Yes |
Coastal areas on 8 km grid, 5 days. Small areas at 1 km one day. Easy area selection. Meso scale models run from two different Global starting points. | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
Np |
GFS 7+ days. Various meso-scale models used, 3 days. | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
Np |
Easy areas selection. GFS 7 days. Meso scale is 2 days. | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
No |
Simple area selection. A little clumsy to use. | |
|
Browser |
GFS, UKMO, |
No |
Bewilderingly large range of parameters and areas. . | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
No |
Good for latest actuals. Chart format or specific locations. Europe and USA, 5 days | |
|
Browser |
GFS |
No |
Interpolates to specific locations. | |
|
Browser |
Meso |
yes |
Interpolates to specific locations. | |
|
Browser |
Meso |
No |
Greek waters 2 days. Easy to use, 0.1° grid. Chart needs enlarging. | |
|
Browser |
Meso |
No |
Greek waters 2 days. Easy to use. Regional model 36 x 36 km grid, meso scale 6 x 6 and 3 x 3 km.. Chart needs enlarging. | |
|
Browser |
Meso |
No |
Streamline presentation rather fussy looking. | |
|
FTP |
GFS |
Yes |
More elements than some services. Zooms in but with no added information. | |
|
FTP |
GFS |
Yes |
Provides much other data as well as GRIBs. Not intuitive. I found it over complicated. | |
|
FTP |
GFS, NOGAPS, CMC, WRF, COAMPS, HIRLAM |
Yes |
Provides access to several global and meso-scale models. | |
|
|
Browaer |
WRF/NMM and WW3 |
No |
Nice presentation of windss and waves fore te Mmediteeanean. Some doubt as to use of WW3 in he Med. |
Other
|
To these can be added the various websites that offer location specific forecasts, usually using GFS output. Examples are Accuweather, Wetteronline The Weather Channel, Weather Underground and WILEY NAUTICAL. The latter is available over a mobile phone with text capability as well as on a web browser. These are all automatically produced forecasts based, probably, on the GFS or, possibly, some other large scale model. None is particularly better than any other. There will be differences in the presentation and content but little in quality of forecast. |
Similarly. there is also a service provided a commercial firm and found on display in many French, Spanish and Italian marinas. This has all the appearance of being GFS entirely automatic. I always found Météo France to be a far better service. A good meso-scale forecast is available on the BBC website and known as "Coastal Forecasts" These are Met Office meso-scale forecasts presented, realistically for fairly small areas around UK coasts. The Met Office has a number of objective forecasts on its Marinecall service. Météo France Navimail is a comprehensive service that includes GRIB files on a global scale and fine scale. |
Ocean Currents, Tidal Streams and Wave forecasts
An Australian site gives data on ocean currents and tidal streams. This is a service on repayment. I have no experience of it.
For sea wave and swell forecasts, see the The National Centre for Ocean Forecasting (NCOF) site.
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