What are PWG and PWC forecasts?

All weather forecasts start with the Earths' current conditions and then a forecast model will estimate how the current weather will develop. Two of the popular low resolution models are the GFS and the CMC models, and PredictWind runs the leading high resolution model. The PWG model uses the GFS observations (American Global Forecast System), and the PWC uses the CMC observations (Canadian Meteorological Center). Both the PWG and the PWC do not use the GFS or CMC forecasts, but just the observational files.

Initial Condition Files

All forecast models are based on Initial Condition Files, which are a snapshot of the globes current weather conditions. These files include data from thousands of weather stations, satellite images, and weather buoys. The initial condition files tell us what the world looks like right now, and does not include any future forecast information.

The CMC and GFS both provide initial condition files.

CMC and GFS Low Resolution Forecasts

The CMC and GFS also provide a global weather forecast based on their initial condition files. Their forecasts are low resolution, with one forecast generated for each 60km square of the planet. A low resolution 60km forecast will have the same forecast for the whole 60km square, irrespective of islands, wind shadows and valleys.

PredictWind High Resolution Wind Forecasts

The PredictWind model generates high resolution wind forecasts based on the CMC and GFS initial condition files, but has nothing to do with their forecasts. For example, the high resolution 1km forecast provided by PredictWind allows you to see a different forecast for both sides of an island, whereas the low resolution CMC and GFS forecast does not.

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