Interesting stuff: http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-224.17,-22.14,822
Interactive wind map
(9 posts) (5 voices)-
Chip
MemberThanks Lance - great site! 1000 hPa is close to ground level for most places and 250 hPa approximates the altitude of international aircraft. Certainly explains why planes from Asia to Sydney or Melbourne head south towards Perth then take a ride on the wind. After clicking on 'earth', click on any spot to get lat long, wind speed and direction.
Posted Saturday 21 Dec 2013 @ 11:50:04 am from IP # -
This "earth wind map" web-site maps wind patterns in great detail every three hours from the past to four days ahead. It could give non-scientists a far better understanding of the weather than they now get from the displays and explanations on TV.
It is the best invention in weather display and forecast since the BLIPMAP:
http://blipmap.walsys.net/NEWSOUTHWALES/blipmap.htmThe significance of the pressure levels that can be displayed is explained when you click "earth", then "about":
1000 hPa | ~100 m, surface conditions
850 hPa | ~1,500 m, planetary boundary, low
700 hPa | ~3,500 m, planetary boundary, high
500 hPa | ~5,000 m, vorticity
250 hPa | ~10,500 m, jet stream
70 hPa | ~17,500 m, stratosphere
10 hPa | ~26,500 m, even more stratosphereOne thing that is obvious from the map is the way the surface air flows around and between hills. The general circulation of the atmosphere is also crystal clear: the inter-tropical convergence, the trade winds, the Hadley cell southerlies, the Ferrel cell westerlies with embedded cyclones (which Australians must not call cyclones).
Posted Saturday 21 Dec 2013 @ 9:39:17 pm from IP # -
For today's bushfire risk in Victoria, the forecast strong winds on "earth wind map" are mainly in the west of the State. They are mainly westerly, becoming southerly.
Have a look. Click "Now", then click ">" to move forward in three-hour steps.Posted Friday 27 Dec 2013 @ 8:53:01 pm from IP #
