![]() ![]() ![]() If you are really put off by all the choice, MaxSea has a ‘weather wizard’ which will guide you through downloading a free weather file, cutting out jargon by asking you simply if you want the data from Europe or America and then ‘accurate data’ or ‘normal data’ for resolution.ĭownloading and viewing more than one GRIB file at the same time will enable you to compare models, or blend higher and lower resolution files. PredictWind has taken some of the angst out of choosing your weather model by offering only four forecast models, two of which are high-resolution ones exclusive to PredictWind users. I found all of the program menus reasonably easy to navigate when selecting weather options – it just takes a bit of trial and error to understand which model is best to use when. It is often useful if making a trip offshore to blend a high-resolution file for departures and arrivals with a lower resolution one for information offshore. The higher-resolution models offer more detail and a greater degree of accuracy, but for a smaller area. The available models can be broadly split by resolution, model type and geographical areas covered. It is always worth comparing routeings from more than one model and so as a start I looked at what models were on offer from each of our routeing options. Different models can produce strikingly different predictions at times and in my experience most people develop a couple of ‘favourite’ models they consider to be the most reliable. In simple terms, the computer programs that produce our weather forecasts use current weather observations applied to mathematical models to predict future conditions. I tested the TZ Navigator pack with advanced routeing and current charts for the UK and Ireland, which costs £859. Hi Res packages cost €69 per year for the Mediterranean Sea or €299 for the world. I tested the racing CEP 0.125 subscription. Its Tidal Atlas for North Western Europe is an extra £175.įree software package that can be downloaded to a Windows PC or the Squid mobile app for tablets/phones. Software package costing US$1,295 (£901). The subscription price is from $399 per year for the standard version.Īn Android-based app that currently costs just £35 for an indefinite licence. Professional subscription available online or via a PredictWind Offshore app for mobile platforms. I picked five popular weather routeing options available today to compare their key features and assess how easy they are to use. If you choose the right product for your needs, however, these are powerful aids that are essential to help you plan a safe, quick and comfortable passage. The variables involved in accurate routeing are many and it is easy to get sucked into an information overload when you start investigating what today’s computer-driven weather routeing can do. This is an involved and intricate science, but it is being made more readily accessible to all sailors. The extent to which we are able to predict weather patterns and assess our own boat’s performance relative to it is getting better and better as computing power develops. Every discerning sailor will carry out some sort of weather routeing before going out on the water. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |