Earth Wind Map

[hobie16]

This is totally cool.

http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wi ... ,10.47,275

The Information Age has been a boon to mariners in more ways than we can count, providing innovations such as GPS, chart plotters, AIS and GRIB files, all of which greatly enhance the safety of travel on the ocean. But a new graphical development called the Earth Wind Map has set a new standard for combining fascinating imagery with (near) real-time wind information. Check it out and we think you'll agree that the 'wow' factor is off the chart.

Developed by software engineer Cameron Beccario from data gathered by the US National Weather Service's Global Forecast System, the interactive map allows users to monitor wind patterns virtually anywhere on earth. The Google Earth-style display lets you adjust the globe's image to pinpoint any spot on the planet. Data is updated every three hours.

While flow patterns indicate wind direction — almost hypnotically — all over the planet, a subtle color scheme indicates wind strength, with gentle breezes represented by thin green lines, stronger winds by bright yellow, and extreme winds by red.

One look at the central North Pacific and it will be obvious to you how all that rubbish ends up in the North Pacific Gyre. And why Tahiti-bound cruisers need to pick their route carefully as they head west. On the opposite side of the globe, you can see how Columbus easily found his way to the West Indies — and how he made it back to Europe on a contrary wind pattern with relative ease.

Despite what we think about many government expenditures, the National Weather Service's work certainly represents money well spent — especially in the hands of a visionary like Beccario.

[Big Wallaby]

That is very impressive. I could watch for hours.

[hobie16]

Two things in the weather map department. First up, Earth Wind Map. I discovered that clicking on the earth logo in the bottom left corner displays a slug of options including moving up to four days out the the forecast, selecting the altitude and selecting the information needed by changing the overlay. All of these options will add hours to your daily viewing pleasure.

Any time someone comes up with a cool product someone else will try to improve it. That's finally happened with Windyty. It has even cooler colors and appears to run faster.

Enjoy!

[Big Wallaby]

A year later, I am once again mesmerized. This time, the link is going onto my bar so I can check it pretty much daily.

Amazing the data to which we now have access. And with a love of all things flight, I love that you can see the wind at several points from surface to 45,000 feet.