Weather Data
FairWinds uses real-world weather forecasts to create an authentic sailing experience.
Data Sources
FairWinds aggregates weather data from multiple authoritative sources:
Wind Data
- NOAA GFS - Global Forecast System for worldwide coverage
- ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
- AIFS - AI-powered forecasting for improved accuracy
Current Data
- Copernicus Marine - Ocean current forecasts
- HYCOM - Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model
- Regional Models - SFBOFS, IBI, and other coastal models
Wave Data
- WaveWatch III - Global wave forecasts
- Regional Models - Coastal wave predictions
Forecast Updates
Weather forecasts are updated on a regular schedule:
| Data Type | Update Frequency | Forecast Range |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Every 6 hours | 10 days |
| Currents | Every 12 hours | 7 days |
| Waves | Every 6 hours | 7 days |
Understanding Wind Data
Wind Speed
Measured in knots (nautical miles per hour):
- Light Air: 1-3 knots
- Light Breeze: 4-6 knots
- Moderate: 7-16 knots
- Fresh: 17-21 knots
- Strong: 22-27 knots
- Gale: 28+ knots
Wind Direction
- Expressed in degrees (0-360°)
- 0° = North
- 90° = East
- 180° = South
- 270° = West
True vs Apparent Wind
- True Wind: Actual wind speed and direction
- Apparent Wind: Wind as experienced by the moving boat
- FairWinds calculates both for accurate sailing simulation
Ocean Currents
Currents can significantly impact boat speed and routing:
Current Speed
- Measured in knots
- Can add or subtract from boat speed
- Particularly important in coastal areas
Current Direction
- Direction the current is flowing to
- Opposite convention from wind direction
Strategic Considerations
- Favorable currents can save hours
- Avoid adverse currents when possible
- Current boundaries create routing opportunities
Visualizing Weather
Wind Barbs
Traditional meteorological symbols showing:
- Wind direction (shaft points downwind)
- Wind speed (flags and barbs)
Color Overlays
Heat maps showing:
- Wind speed intensity
- Current velocity
- Wave height
Isobars
Lines of equal pressure:
- Close isobars = strong winds
- Wide spacing = light winds
- Pressure systems affect wind patterns
Weather Strategy
Reading Forecasts
- Check multiple forecast runs
- Look for consistency
- Understand forecast uncertainty increases with time
Planning Routes
- Identify favorable wind angles
- Avoid calm zones
- Use currents strategically
- Consider wave impact on speed
Next Steps
- Learn about routing algorithms
- Understand boat performance
- Explore race formats