http://www.windology.uk/

[Concerto]

Just come across this wind prediction web site. It seems to have been started in 2016, but I can find no mention on the forum.

This description from the help pages explains its purpose,

"The predicted wind for a given date and time is calculated by a highly advanced computer weather model. This model calculates the wind speed and direction at pre-determined grid points across the UK.

As the prediction is based on a theoretical weather model, please use only as a guide and at your own risk ONLY. Local topographical effects may mean the wind experienced locally varies from that which the computer has been predicted.

The computer model is run and updated four times a day, every day of the year and calculates the wind at 3 hour intervals."

I like the visual of the wind strength showing larger arrows for strong winds.

 

[johnalison]

It's quite pretty but doesn't work very well on my old iPad. The data is a bit coarse and doesn't extend very far away from the UK.

 

[dom]

If one likes the format great- I personally don't.

The "highly advanced computer weather model" they speak of is simply the publicly available GFS output of which there are many offerings such as Windy, WindGuru, etc. These arguably possess better front ends and in some cases offer a more diverse selection of models.

 

[Richard10002]

I like the Home and Dry App on my iPhone. It predicts rain over the next few hours based on local radars. Fairly accurate, and often helps me wait 10 or 15 minutes for a weather window when it’s chucking it down.

 

[franksingleton]

Yet another presentation of numerical weather prediction output. Most likely, it is the US GFS. It will be no better and no worse than the many sources of the same or, occasionally, similar models whether free or on repayment. I have to query why so many people seem to want to kid us that they are providing something new and better than other forecasts.


I did like their “predicted forecast.” Tautology on a par with “new innovation,” “moment in time” and “we acted collectively together,” all heard within 5 minutes on R4 recently. Maybe I am showing my age/generation.

 

[franksingleton]

I like the Home and Dry App on my iPhone. It predicts rain over the next few hours based on local radars. Fairly accurate, and often helps me wait 10 or 15 minutes for a weather window when it’s chucking it down.

I am always interested to see new sources of weather information - and inevitably amazed at the claims made. “Home and Dry” says “The highest quality radar available in any app or on the internet!”. In a sense that is true but it is a misleading claim.


The Met Office is the source of the data from the radar network that they run in conjunction with the Environment Agency, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/weather/observations-research/weather-radar-network-renewal. Radar images and forecast images using that information are on their app; it is difficult to see what Met Desk has added. They cannot provide more or better radar information or forecasts of that information. Apart from changing colours and using a different map background, what do they or can they add?


I have no problem with organisations/firms or whatever distributing meteorological data and forecasts. I have no problem with them charging for the information even when, as here, it is freely available elsewhere. I do object to implications/suggestions/statements that 3rd party providers are the sources of the information. In many cases, their apps or websites would carry more credence if they stated the sources. MetDesk are not the only culprits. There are other providers of data and forecasts that do not or, even when asked, will not state the provenance of their output.

 

[Paddy Fields]

they probably licence the data, and the terms of the licence say that they don’t have to state where they got the data from. Probably shame on the met office for not securing the protection of their IPR.

 

[franksingleton]

they probably licence the data, and the terms of the licence say that they don’t have to state where they got the data from. Probably shame on the met office for not securing the protection of their IPR.

W

Agree on both counts. I am surprised that they do not acknowledge the source. It would give them credence. Who in their right minds would expect any private organisation to manage the U.K. radar network and generate forecasts from those data?

 

[[163233]]

It would give them credence.

Especially if they were predicting rain on a sunny day..

 

[franksingleton]

Especially if they were predicting rain on a sunny day..

Difficult. Radar measures what is actually happening. The