Forecast Graphics

As part of the transition to a digital forecast database, many forecast elements are available in a graphical format. This page displays some pre-configured images in a slideshow format.

Slideshow Controls

The slideshow display is controlled by 3 drop-down menus, a slider bar and a set of buttons that appear when you hover the cursor over the image area. The 3 drop-down menus control:

  1. Weather Element - First select the weather element you want to view since the Forecast Areas available may be different for different elements.
  2. Forecast Area - List of subsector areas available for the Weather Element selected.
  3. Valid Time - Optional. May be selected to jump to a specific forecast time.

The Loop Speed slider bar controls the rate the images of the slideshow change

The display control buttons appear when the mouse moves over the image area and disappear when it moves out of the image area. They are the standard remote control buttons:

Beginning Previous Slide Pause Play Next Slide End

The following weather elements can currently be found on the webpage.

Weather Elements

  1. Max Temperature
  2. Min Temperature
  3. Hourly Temperature
  4. Surface Wind
  5. Sky Cover
  6. Sensible Weather
  7. Probability of Precipitation
  8. Precipitation Amounts (QPF)
  9. Snow Amount
  10. Snow Level
  11. Sea Level Pressure
  12. Marine Winds
  13. Sea Height
  14. Swell Height
  15. Sea Surface Temperature
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Max Temperature

MAX TEMPERATURE is the daytime maximum temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

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Min Temperature

MIN TEMPERATURE is the overnight minimum temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

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Hourly Temperature

HOURLY TEMPERATURE in degrees Fahrenheit.

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Surface Wind

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected.

WIND SPEED is the expected sustained sustained wind speed (in knots) for the indicated hour.

WIND DIRECTION is the expected sustained wind direction for the indicated hour, using 36 points of a compass.
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Sky Cover

SKY COVER is the expected amount of opaque clouds covering the sky valid for the indicated hours.

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Sensible Weather

WEATHER is the expected weather (precipitating or non-precipitating) valid at the indicated hour. Precipitating weather includes type, probability, and intensity information. In cases of convective weather, coverage may be substituted for probability.

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Probability of Precipitation

PROBABILITY OF PRECIPITATION is the likelihood, expressed as a percent, of a measurable precipitation event (1/100th of an inch or more) at a grid point during the valid period.

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Precipitation Amount (QPF)

QUANTITATIVE PRECIPITATION FORECAST (QPF) is the expected amount of liquid precipitation (in hundredths of inches) accumulated over a six hourly period. A QPF will be specified when a measurable ( 1/100th of an inch or more) precipitation type is forecast for any hour during a QPF valid period.

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Snow Amount

SNOW AMOUNT is the expected amount of snowfall (in inches) accumulated over a six hourly period.

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Snow Level

SNOW LEVEL is the elevation (in feet) above which all precipitation is expected to be frozen.

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Sea Level Pressure

SEA LEVEL PRESSURE is a grid showing contours of the mean sea level pressure (MSLP). MSLP is the pressure value obtained by the theoretical reduction of barometric pressure to sea level. Where the Earth's surface is above sea level, it is assumed that the atmosphere extends to sea level below the station and that the properties of that hypothetical atmosphere are related to conditions observed at the station. This is the pressure normally given in local weather reports.

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Marine Winds

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected.

WIND SPEED is the expected sustained sustained wind speed (in knots) for the indicated hour.

WIND DIRECTION is the expected sustained wind direction for the indicated hour, using 36 points of a compass.
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Sea Height

SEA HEIGHT is defined as the vertical distance (in feet) between trough and crest for the average of the highest one-third of the combined windwave and swell height.

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Swell Height

SWELL HEIGHT is defined as the vertical distance (in feet) between trough and crest of the primary swell. Swell is wind-generated waves that have travelled out of their generating area. They characteristically exhibit smoother, more regular and uniform crests and a longer period than wind waves.

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Sea Surface Temperature

SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE is officially the temperature of the water at 1 meter below the sea surface. Most sea surface temperature data today comes from satellites which measure radiation that emanates from the top "skin" of the ocean, approximately the top 0.1 mm or less.

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