Forecast Model Options Follow

WeatherFlow offers users the opportunity to view many different forecast models. Why so many? We want you to have the same tools that professional meteorologists use to make a forecast. Here's a look at a selection of our available models to help you choose which one is best for your situation.

Micro-scale Models

These models take a lot of computing power because they resolve the features on a small scale. Consequently, the models operate in small areas and short time frames.  Use these models when looking for information for small features such as beaches and for the short term.
Our micro-scale models include the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models you are use to seeing in our products, along with new generation AI weather models. The NWP models take a lot of computing power because they resolve the features on a small scale. Consequently, the models operate in small areas and short time frames. Use these models when looking for information for small features such as beaches and for the short term. The AI models are much faster to run and can forecast for anywhere at any time.

WF-WRF - WeatherFlow Weather Research & Forecast Model
A premium weather forecast model from WeatherFlow-Tempest. It combines output from our AI forecast models with output from the best available numerical weather prediction models (NWP), including WeatherFlow-Tempest’s in-house Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Our AI and WRF models leverage the high-density datasets curated from our ProNet and Tempest weather station networks to produce an accurate forecast. The domain for the model is dependent on the region, but you will find that most of them are either 2 or 3 km. 

Our WF-WRF model has distinct boundaries, which you can see when looking at our various Forecast Map and Live Wind features. The model is our own in-house forecast model, with tuning and boundaries that we believe produce the best possible forecasts for key coastal locations around the US (and in a few select areas in Mexico and Canada). Because high-resolution models are expensive to run, we conserve resources by sticking to the boundaries shown in the map below:

WRF - The Weather Research & Forecasting Model
The product of a multi-agency and university collaboration.  We deliver this to you with a 5 km resolution for the continental United States and the surrounding coastal regions.

ARW 5km - Hawaii Model
A model run from UCAR incorporating several different models in an attempt to get better accuracy in Hawaii and Alaska. The higher resolution at 5km is thought to allow this model to better pick out the intricacies of the islands.

HRRR - High Resolution Rapid Refresh

Is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) operational weather prediction system comprised of a numerical forecast model and an analysis/assimilation system to initialize the model. It is run with a horizontal resolution of 3 km. The model is run over the CONUS every hour of the day; it is integrated to 48 hours for the 00/06/12/18 UTC cycles and to 18 hours for every other cycle (e.g., 9z, 14z, and 22z) .

Regional Models

NAM - North American Mesoscale Model
This is a short range model and is delivered on WeatherFlow products in a 3km and 12km resolution for the next 48 to 84 hours. It is run 4 times daily and only available across North America and surrounding coastal regions. Typically, the first 48 hours are very accurate.

BLEND - Blend of Models
This model combines short and long-range forecast model output for a complete forecast table. The BLEND uses a high-resolution, hourly updating computer model and is frequently updated with weather details as low as 3 km (only available in the continental US). If you can’t wait for the next forecast run, don’t worry; you no longer need to wait more than one hour because BLEND updates hourly.  Choose this model when you need to make weather decisions for the next 12-48 hours or for small areas.

Global Models

GFS - Global Forecast System
It is run four times a day (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z) and produces forecasts up to 16 days in advance.  It is run at roughly 50km resolution.  However, the spatial and temporal resolution is reduced as the model is further out in time. The forecast produced beyond day 7 is generally not very accurate.  It produces a forecast for every 3rd hour for the first 180 hours.

CMC - Environment Canada Global Model
This is another model which will give you a forecast for all points on the globe. The resolution is approximately  100km resolution and runs out 138 hours.