Live Weather Winds Aloft

Wind Maps

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The Wind maps depict the analysis or forecast of upper level winds. Wind speed and direction is depicted using standard wind flags. Wind speed is calculated by adding all of the shaded triangles (50 kts each) and barbs (10 kts for full barb and 5 kts for half barb) on each flag. For example, two triangles and one barb would represent a wind speed of 110 kts. Wind direction is determined by the orientation of the flag. Wind is blowing from the tail of the flag (where flags are) to the head of the flag (where the dot is).

Wind flags are positioned at the optimum resolution for the map area. Most flags are placed every 2.5 degrees of latitude (150 nm) and longitude. For smaller geographic regions such as the regional U.S. maps, flags are placed every 75 nm.

Maps are created based upon the availability of numerical model data. For the U.S., analysis maps are updated hourly. Forecast maps for the U.S. and International areas are updated every 6 hours based on model run times of 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC. Map forecast times of 06, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 and 72 hours are available approximately 4-6 hours after the model run time..

Upper Level Wind maps are generated for the following atmospheric levels:

Altitude

Pressure

FL050

850 mb

FL100

700 mb

FL180

500 mb

FL240

400 mb

FL300

300 mb

FL340

250 mb

FL390

200 mb

FL450

150 mb

 

See also:

Viewing Weather Information in the Profile View

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