Westwind.ch

Help about Westwind.ch

Weather Forecast Maps on the Internet - Before you start

Westwind.ch - What it is and why it is useful

How to navigate through Westwind.ch

Getting images and animations

Searching in Westwind.ch

A list of abbreviations (A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z)

About the author

Weather Forecast Maps on the Internet - Before you start

The amount of weather data on the Internet is amazing. Almost everyone can reach it and choose the information that is needed. Numberous weather charts are direct output by computer models without much interpretation. So you can start with your own weather forecast where every professional meteorologist does.

However, the vast diversity of available weather data holds the risk of completely loosing the overview about what is relevant and what isn't. It is very confusing, while hundreds of weather sites contain a only bit of information. If you have to create your forecast on the basis of these fragments by surfing from one site to another, accross various complicated or informationless index- and headerpages, the advantage of the internet as a weather data source against the conventional media tends towards zero (or minus something)!

Westwind.ch is a big help. But before using it, you should know some basics about meteorology in common and about forecasts maps and how to read them. Visit the following good sites to get an overview:

The online guides: Meteorology
An introduction into meteorology.
Forecasting by Computer
An introduction into computer models.
Wetterzentrale von Georg Müller (in German)
Explanation of lines, colors and symbols in the forecast maps.
Forecast Model Details
Explanation of lines, colors and symbols in the following maps:
GFS Unisys, ECMWF Unisys
Which model output data is currently available on the net?
An overview about the origin and the operators of different computer models.

Westwind.ch - What it is and why it is useful

Westwind.ch is a comprehensive collection of direct links to weather data on the Internet concerning current and future weather for Europe. From Westwind.ch you can reach nearly all available weather charts within two or three mouse clicks.

I'm not creating any weather lists or maps by my own! I'm just putting all the existing data together into a common layout to increase the survey. I'm also trying to bypass any informationless and commercially overflown pages. I'm trying to point to the real content you are looking for.

If you are new on Westwind.ch, start with just one target page. The best choice to begin is possibly United Kingdom Model. When you get used to this set of weather maps, take another one and compare.

Remember that each page in a subset is based on the same model. But the graphical layout, the map area, the map projection, the combination of parameters or the time of update are different!

How to navigate through Westwind.ch

Westwind.ch has an easy structure. From the mainpage, you can reach all target pages within one or two mouse clicks. You need two clicks, if the name of the link is followed by 3 dots..., for example, if you click on AVN... you get a new subset of pages, that contain data based on the AVN model.

Each target page is linked to the previous visited page, the mainpage and this help page with the following simple menu:

Back

Main

Help

From a target page, you can reach any other page with a simple rollover-menu as shown here:

Current

Picts

0-48h

0-72h

0-10d

Special

All target pages contain a link to the site where the data is originally published. So if the direct links to the images are broken, try to look at the original page. Maybe they are down or the update of the images isn't ready yet.

Getting images and animations

Links called 0.0d 1.0d 2.0d... typically contain maps or images for today (0.0d), tomorrow (1.0d) and after tomorrow (2.0d) and so on. Links called -3h contain maps or images that are 3 hours old. Links called 6-Panel 9-Panel contain whole time series. Usually, the resolution of such images is lower than the sum of all single maps, but obtained information per download-time is much higher (modem-user!).

Clicking on All gets a JavaScript generated image animation with the weather-maps of the same type (row, horizontal animation, time series) or same time (col, vertical animation, parameter series). Wait until all images are loaded into the animation and then press "Play" to run the animation or "<1" or "1>" to step single pics backwards or forwards. You can also control the animation-speed with the buttons called "Fast" and "Slow".

The image animation feature needs a JavaScript capable browser. You can enable JavaScript this way:
Netscape 3.xx: Options / Network Preferences / Languages: "Enable JavaScript"
Netscape 4.xx: Edit / Preferences... / Advanced: "Enable JavaScript"
IExplorer 5.xx: Tools / Inernet Options / Security / Custom Level / Active Scripting: "Enable"

Searching in Westwind.ch

You can search for pages in Westwind.ch that contain a given weather parameter for a given area. Example: Select "Precipitation" and "Spain" in the option-lists and press the "Search" button. Westwind.ch will be generated new, but now it has only links to pages that contain at least the parameter "precipitation" and cover at least "Spain".

The two option-lists contain several redundant sections. Example: You can select precipitation or you can more specifically select PP12h (Only 12 hourly precipitation).

Leaving blank an option-list means "all". If you leave blank the Weather Parameter list and only select "Spain" in the Area List, you get the "Spanish Version" of Westwind.ch, that means, now there are only links to pages that are relevant for Spain.

If you leave blank both lists and press on "Search", you get links to all pages that exist in Westwind.ch, but in this case you should better use the default mainpage, because it contains all pages too and has an easier structure.

A list of abbreviations
	*	This symbol is called wildcard and means ALL (parameters, areas...)
	0.0d, 1.0d, 2.0d..	Analization, 1day forecast, 2day forecast..
	00h, 06h, 12h..	Analization, 6hour forecast, 12hour forecast..
	A
	AeqPotTemp	Equivalent Potential Temperature
	AGIF	Animated GIF (Video Format)
	AGL	Above Ground Level
	Alb	Albany, NY
	ANIM	Animation
	Anom	Anomaly
	Arl	Air Ressources Laboratory
	AT	Austria
	ATL	Atlantic ocean computer-model
	AVN	Aviation computer-model
	Awc	Aviation Weather Center
	B
	BeNeLux	Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg
	Bft.	Beaufort (Wind Speed Scale)
	BOL	Bologna Limited Area Model
	BOLAM	Bologna Limited Area Model
	Brack	Bracknell
	C
	C	Central, centre
	C-Europe	Central Europe
	Canwp	Cairo Numerical Weather Prediction Center
	CAPE	Convective Available Potential Energy
	C1..C6	Channel1..Channel6
	Cdc	Climate Diagnostics Center
	CH	Switzerland
	Chmi	Czech Meteorological Institute
	CHig	Clouds high (Height of the clouds more than 5000m)
	CLow	Clouds low (Height of the clouds less than 2000m)
	CMid	Clouds middle (Height of the clouds between 2000m and 5000m)
	Cmirl	Centro Meteo-Idrologico della Regione Liguria
	Cmp	Comparison
	CNMCA	Centro Nazionale di Meteorologia e Climatologia Aeronautica
	Cnn	Cable News Network
	Conv	Convergence
	Cptec	Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climaticos
	Csvdi	Centro Sperimentale Valanghe E Difesa Idrogeologica
	D
	d	Days
	DALAM	Data Assimilation Limited Area Model
	DE	Germany
	Dewpt	Dew Point
	dH500	Change in the Height of the 500hPa-level
	Div	Divergence
	DK	Denmark
	Dkrz	Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum
	Dmi	Danish Meteorological Institute
	Dwd	Deutscher Wetterdienst (German meteorological office)
	E
	E	East, Eastern
	ECM, ECMWF	Computer-model by Ecmwf.
	Ecmwf	European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
	Ecpc	Experimental Climate Prediction Center
	EFS	Ensemble forecast system
	ENS	Ensemble forecast
	ENSO	El Niño / Southern Oscillation
	ES	Spain
	ETA	Name of a forecast computer model (from the greek letter "eta")
	Eu	Europe, European
	F
	Fhiy	Federal Hydrometeorological Institute of Yugoslavia
	FI	Finland
	FL	Flight Level
	Fmi	Finnish Meteorological Institute
	Fnm	Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center
	Fnmoc	Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center
	FR	France
	ft.	Feet (1 ft = 0.31m)
	Fub	Free University of Berlin
	Fu-Berlin	Free University of Berlin
	G
	G	Global
	GB	Great Britain
	GEM	Global Environmental Model
	Geop	Geopotential
	Geopot	Geopotential
	GIF	Graphics Interchange Format (Pixelbased Image Format)
	GME	Global Model by Deutscher Wetterdienst
	GMT	Greenwich Mean Time = Zulu Time (Z) = Universal Time Coordinated (UTC)
	gpm	Geopotential Meter (1)
	gpdm	Geopotential Decameter (10)
	gphm	Geopotential Hectometer (100)
	gpkm	Geopotential Kilometer (1000)
	Grads	Graphical Analyzing and Display System
	GSM	Global Spectral Model
	H
	h (12h)	Hour (12 hour)
	H (H500)	Height (Height where air-pressure is 500hPa, also called 500hPa-level)
	H (letter standing alone)	Hemisphere, hemispheric view
	H-H (H500-H1000)	Distance between two geopotential heights
	Hem	Hemisphere
	Hgt	Height
	HiRes	High resolution
	HIR	High Resolution Limited Area Model
	HIRLAM	High Resolution Limited Area Model
	Hmis	Hydrometeorological Institute of Slovenia
	hPa	Hectopascal (Air-pressure Measure, 1hPa = 1mbar)
	Ht	Height
	HTML, HTM	Hypertext Markup Language (Fileformat for Internet-Browsers)
	Hum	Relative Humidity (%)
	I
	I	Initialization, Initialization time
	Icm	Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematics and Computer Modeling
	Infn	National institute for nuclear physics of Italy
	Inm	Spanish meteorological institute
	IR	Infra-Red
	IR	Ireland
	Iri	International Research Institute for Climate Prediction
	IT	Italy
	J/K
	Jma	Japanese Meteorological Agency
	JMA	Computer-model by Japanese Meteorological Agency
	JPEG, JPG	Joint Photographic Experts Group (Pixelbased TrueColor Image Format)
	JS	JavaScript
	Kmi	Royal meteorological institute of the Netherlands
	Knmi	Royal meteorological institute of the Netherlands
	Kn	Knots (1Kn = 1.852 km/h)
	L
	L	Local, limited area
	Lat	Latitude
	Leg	Legend
	LevelThickn	Level Thickness (Distance between two geopotential heights)
	Lightn	Lightning(s)
	LIL	Liguria Limited Area Model
	LILAM	Liguria Limited Area Model
	Log	Login Name
	Lon	Longitude
	LR	Long Range
	M
	M (Cmp M)	Model (Comparison of several models)
	m	Meter (1m = 3.28 ft)
	MARKOV-MR	MARKOV Multivariate Regression
	MASS	Mesoscale Atmospheric Simulation System
	Max	Maximum
	mb	Millibar (Air-pressure measure, 1mb = 1hPa)
	mbar	Millibar (Air-pressure measure, 1mbar = 1hPa)
	METAR	Aviation routine weather report
	Min	Minimum
	mm	Millimeter
	MPEG, MPG	Motion Picture Experts Group (Video Fromat)
	MRF	Medium-Range Forecast Model
	N
	N	North, Northern
	N-Hemisph.	Northern Hemisphere
	NAO	North Atlantic Oszillation
	Nbc	National Broadcasting Company
	Ncep	National Center for Environmental Prediction
	NE	Northeast, Northeastern
	Nemoc	Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Center
	NGP	Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System
	NOGAPS	Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System
	Nlm	Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center
	Nlmoc	Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center
	NO	Norway
	Noaa	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
	NOGAPS	Navy Operational Atmospheric Prediction System
	Nr	Number
	NW	Northwest, Northwestern
	Nws	National Weather Service
	O
	Obs	Observation
	Op	Operational
	Ows	Operational Weather Squadron
	M
	Pa	Pascal (Air-pressure measure, 100Pa = 1hPa)
	Pics	Pictures
	Pix	Pictures
	Pot	Potential
	PP (PP12h)	Precipitation (Precipitation in an interval of 12 hours)
	Prec	Precipitation
	Precip (Precip12h)	Precipitation (Precipitation in an interval of 12 hours)
	PrecipProb	Precipitation probability
	PrecipType	Type of Precipitation (Rain, Snow...)
	Prob	Probability
	Pt	Point
	Q
	Q (Q700)	Specific Humidity (Specific Humidity on 7000hPa-level)
	R
	R (Cmp R)	Run (Comparison of several runs)
	RAMS	Regional Atmospheric Modeling System
	RelTop	Relative Topography (Distance between two geopotential heights)
	RelTopogr	Relative Topography (Distance between two geopotential heights)
	RH (RH850)	Relative Humidity (Relative Humidity on 850hPa-level)
	RSM	Regional Spectral Model
	RVort (RVort500)	Relative Vorticity (Relative Vorticity on 500hPa-level)
	S
	s	Second
	S	South, Southern
	Sat	Satellite
	SE	Sweden
	SFC	Surface, Ground
	Sig	Significant
	SLP	Sea Level Pressure
	SLPressure	Sea Level Pressure
	SM	Swiss Model / Schweiz Modell
	Sma	Schweizerische Meteorologische Anstalt
	Smr	Servizio Meteorologico Regionale
	SR	Short Range
	SST	Sea Surface Temperature
	Syn	Synoptic, synoptical
	Synop	Synoptic, synoptical
	T
	T (T850)	Temperature (Temperature on 850hPa-level)
	T2m	Temperature 2m above the ground
	TAeqPot	Equivalent-pontential Temperature
	TAF	Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
	Thck	Thickness
	Thickn	Thickness
	Thunderst	Thunderstorm(s)
	TSFC	Temperature Surface (usually temperature 2m above ground)
	Tw	Tehnicom Weather
	U
	Ucea	Ufficio Centrale di Ecologia Agraria
	Uk	United Kingdom
	UKMO	Computer-model by United Kingdom Meteorological Office
	Univ	University
	Upd	Update
	Upm	Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
	Usaf	United States Air Force
	UTC	Universal Time Coordinated = Zulu Time (Z) = Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
	Uto	USA Today
	UV	Ultra Violet
	V
	VIS	Visible
	VortAdv	Vorticity Advection
	VT	Verification Time
	VVel (VVel700)	Vertical Velocity (Vertical Velocity on 700hPa-level)
	VVelocity	Vertical Velocity
	W
	W	West, western
	W (W850)	Wind (Wind on 850hPa-level)
	w	Vertical Velocity
	WAM	A global ocean wave forecast computer-model
	Won	WetterOnline
	Wun	Weather Underground
	WV	Water Vapor
	WX	Weather
	Wxp	A weather visualization software
	WZ	Wetterzentrale (www.wetterzentrale.de)
	X/Y/Z
	Yah	Yahoo
	Yd	Yesterday
	Z (12Z)	Zulu Time = Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) = Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
	Zamg	Austrian meteorological office

About the author

Well, some of you asked for it: My name is Markus Pfister, I'm 37 years old and I'm currently working as a meteorologist in Switzerland. My job has three parts: Forecasting the weather - making the forecast readable for anyone - optimizing different automated processes, that, in the future, will be able to do the first two parts ;-) Besides this, I like mountains, snow, westwind, summer and ... thunderstorms! I'm possibly the most frequent visitor of Westwind.ch and I'm glad if it also serves you.