Free and open hires GRIB files for the Med are available

[franksingleton]

Going back to the OP. I do not seem to be able to open the files with zyGrib. Any advice?

Interestingly, using my iPad, I can open the files using the various apps such as PocketGrib and Weathertrack.

With the expected upgrades of the GFS in mid-January with output on a 0.25 degree grid instead of the current 0.5 degrees, all the various “unofficial” meso-scale models should be better than at present. That is, all those that will use the GFS data on a 0-25 grid. At present, some do not even use the GFS on a o.5 degree grid preferring to start with an even coarser grid.

 

[norulz]

Try zyGrib version >= 6.2.4

 

[franksingleton]

Try zyGrib version >= 6.2.4

I have 6.3.3

 

[franksingleton]

An alternative for anyone want finer resolution than the current GFS and having restricted bandwidth is to use Saildocs with COAMPS. This gives wind and other data including waves down to a 0.2 degree grid.

I have never used COAMPS but it is most probably similar to the WRF model. It will use a good analysis. Whether the output is better than Athens U I have no idea. Being a .grb file, it can be opened in most viewers including zyGrib, Ugrib, Viewfax.

Send an email to query@saildocs.com with text
Send coamps:30N,40N,30E,40E|0.2,0.2|0,3,...,72|

Put in lat.lon, time interval and duration to suit your needs. It is only available at 3 hour intervals.

 

[RobbieW]

I have 6.3.3

You might want to check that again Frank, the latest version from ZyGrib is 6.2.4 so unless you have a beta....

 

[franksingleton]

You might want to check that again Frank, the latest version from ZyGrib is 6.2.4 so unless you have a beta....

Thanks. Now OK. I must add this to my site.

 

[st599]

errm, zyGrib?? - https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=mac+grib+viewer

The Mac build linked too is too old a build - the OP said 6.2.4+.

 

[cmogs]

Well- I would like to thank Norulz for his information .I will certainly use it once I figured out how to download it as I`m always looking for weather news and this season we are sailing the Aegean - Merry Christmas to you all .

 

[franksingleton]

There are, of course, many sources of such information. Several, like the Skiron, start with the US GFS but add no more fine scale data. There is probably little to choose between any and it really comes down to which you can get easiest or presentation you prefer. Most are free and I see little point in paying.

All these should improve next year after mid January when the GFS is upgraded both in model formulation using a 1/8 degree grid and output ¼ degree. I have no idea how long it will take providers to implement changes.

The Turk-Marine Weatherwise is not, as I was previously told by the Turks, an ECMWF product. They now say that it is a meso-scale model, the WRF used by several unofficial services. They run this on a 13.5 km grid but have a lead over the unofficial services in that the initial analysis and boundary conditions are from ECMWF. In other words it has more detail to start with and more detailed boundary conditions than the “unofficial” services. It should be more likely to do well beyond the first day or so. Nobody can produce reliably accurate very short term forecasts simply because small weather detail has such short lifetimes.

Several of the National Met Services run fine scale meso-scale models, probably around 5 km grid length. All seem to use, as far as I can see, ECMWF for initial data and boundaries. These should be the best for short term use, say 24 to 36 hours or so. For example, a CA member tells me that the best short term forecast around turkey is at http://www.mgm.gov.tr/en-US/marine-3days.aspx

For those with restricted band width, as I noted at #24, COAMPS by email is the most cost effective way of getting meso-scale data – 0.2 degree resolution. But, when the GFS is upgraded, COAMPS will become less relevant.

As I said, for many it will be very much a personal choice. This post might help you to decide.

And a Happy New Year!