Sail-World.com : Earth Wind Map - beautiful, delicate and

News Home

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Sail-World.com : Earth Wind Map - beautiful, delicate and - oh so revealing

Earth Wind Map - beautiful, delicate and - oh so revealing

'The Earth Wind Map - a work in progress' .

The Earth Wind Map is an amazing project to visualize global weather conditions carried out by Tokyo based software engineer Cameron Beccario, resulting in a beautifully mesmerising depiction of the earth's winds. Weather data is produced by the Global Forecast System (GFS), operated by the US National Weather Service. Forecasts are produced four times daily and are up-to-date, providing an astonishing picture of our planet and its winds.

Formerly a Visual Basic developer with Microsoft Beccario moved to Japan in 2002 and has been developing online trading platforms.

The project, which only went live in December 2013 is the child of a former Tokyo Wind Map project, inspired by the fm/wind map of the USA says Beccario.

The actual map date is provided by Natural Earth, but converted into another format

Earth showing Indian and South Pacific Oceans - .. .

In detail, a gentle breeze is shown by a thin strand of green, while strong winds are bright yellow. The strongest currents are bright red.

Users can drag the globe to their desired location and click on the spot they want to find out what the wind speed is.

Users can also zoom in on the currents, which are colour-coded to show the severity of the wind. The detail is quite extraordinary. A region that looks calm at a glance is seen to be rippling with winds on closer inspection, using the mouse wheel to zoom in.

Earth showing Britain’s current horrific weather - .. .

Historical data is available, as is wind data at different heights. This project is a true Work in Progress. Current data has now been added and Beccario continues to work on new features.

The system also does something else not really seen before. If you ever doubted the existence of the fabled gyres of the oceans, doubt no more. The five gyres can be observed in graphic fluid lines, just as always predicted.

Could you use this for deciding your sailing plans? It's too early to tell. You decide. Beccario is at pains to point out that a lot of the data is interpolated.

To access the 'Earth Wind Map', click here. Navigation is a matter of exploration.

If you think you might like to set up your own Earth Wind Map, click here.

Watch the video to learn more about how it works:

by Sail-World Cruising round-up

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=119330

6:12 PM Sun 16 Feb 2014GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

News - USA and the World

Clipper Round the World Race 11 - Tense match downwind racing on Day 2 by Clipper Ventures,

On day two of race 11 of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2013-14, The PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, the last 24 hours has seen some very close, and tense match downwind racing amongst the 12-strong fleet with speeds reaching in excess of 26 knots as it makes its way further south towards Panama.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - Day 3 an absolute gem by Louay Habib,

Blue water gurgling through the gunnels with white foam hissing at the toe rail, day three of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was an absolute gem. The Cannon Course featured four reaching legs, six miles out and back and the Classics' fleet played out an entertaining procession in heavenly conditions, 20 knots of breeze, bright sunshine with warm water rolling down the decks.... [more]

Quantum Key West 2015 dates confirmed by Premiere Racing,

Classes and sailors from across the country and around the globe already have Quantum Key West 2015 on their winter calendars. Boats ranging in size from 23 to 72 feet will compete in the waters off America's southernmost city during the 28th edition of Key West Race Week, scheduled for January 18-23.... [more]

ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres: Anticipation intensifies as start nears by ISAF,

he ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres is all set to commence tomorrow, Monday April 21, with the boat parks now bustling with anticipation as 1,100 sailors from 61 nations fine tune their equipment ahead of racing. The event will bring the 2013-2014 World Cup series to a close and with Olympic heroes, World Champions and ISAF Sailing World Cup medallists in abundance, the racing will be intense.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Race - Race 11 start images by Chuck Lantz by Anna Parker, Sail-World.com,

Photographer Chuck Lantz was on deck to capture these images as the fleet set sail in the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, race 11 of the 2013-14 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.... [more]

27th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2014 - Big breeze on the butterfly by Louay Habib,

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2014 - With the breeze at over 25 knots and a significant sea state, the Classic sailors came ashore soaking wet, covered in salt and wide-eyed from the thrill of it all. The Trade Winds were at full force today and after two days of big breeze the sea state, especially around Shirley Heights was impressive.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - Pryde and Joy for Hi Fi by Regattanews,

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - 'It was incredibly close racing,' enthused Pryde. 'To be this close after so many miles is amazing. It was the same all the way down. We were never out of sight of the other boats so you could not relax one moment.'... [more]

Clipper Round The World Race - A flying start on Day 1 of Race 11 by Clipper Ventures,

On Day 1 of Race 11 of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2013-14, The PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, after a spectacular send-off from San Francisco, USA the 12 strong fleet competing pulled no punches as the 3,300 mile race to panama got off to a flying start.... [more]

Cammas on Caudrelier – different styles, same objective by Jon Bramley,

2014 -15 Volvo Ocean Race - Franck Cammas bucks the trend of top class ocean racers who tend to be built on the very massive side. But the little Frenchman still ranks as one of the toughest around, a man whose word is law on any boat he choses to skipper. Ask him about Charles Caudrelier, though, and he immediately breaks into a broad smile.... [more]

Clipper Race - Californian crew member continues fundraising journey by Ruth Harrington,

2013 - 14 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race- Californian crew member, Elaina Breen, 69 from Point Richmond, has started her second Clipper Race leg, raising money for a charity which helps the families of those killed in war.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - Race 2 images by Jude Robertson by Sail-World.com,

Photographer Jude Robertson was on deck again for race 2 of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta to capture these images.... [more]

Les Voiles de St Barth - Images by Christophe Jouany by Sail-World.com,

Photographer Christophe Jouany was out on the water at Les Voiles de St Barth to capture these images. Enjoy!... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Fleet sets sail in race 11 by Marina Thomas,

The PSP Logistics Panama Cup, race 11 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, set sail today with San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge providing the perfect backdrop for the 12-strong fleet of identical matched 70-foot boats.... [more]

Congressional Cup - Canfield and Team US One best star-studded field by Chicago Match Race Center,

After days of grinding through a format of round robin racing among twelve teams from all over the world, including many rivals from the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, the Chicago Match Race Center congratulates Taylor Canfield and his Team US One for having won the oldest and most prestigious Grade 1 event in the US, Long Beach YC's Congressional Cup.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Race 11 to get underway to Panama by Clipper Round the World,

In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup, which is Race 11, gets underway today (Saturday) at 1300 local time in San Francisco (2000 UTC). This very tactical race from the Californian city to Panama will take approximately three weeks to complete. The race sees the teams transit the Panama Canal in its centenary year before starting Race 12 to Jamaica.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - Race 1 images by Jude Robertson by Sail-World.com,

Chester, Nova Scotia photographer Jude Robertson was out on the water at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta to capture these images during race 1.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Hi Fi collects the coveted IRC Overall title by RHKYC Media,

The second major prize of the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race was decided in Subic Bay this morning, as Hi Fi held Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky to a two minute lead on the water to ensure that Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 collects the coveted IRC Overall title for the second time in four years.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - First arrivals in Subic Bay by KPMS,

At midday on Saturday, five of the 34-strong international fleet had completed the 27th Rolex China Sea Race. 87-year old Syd Fischer’s Maxi Ragamuffin 90 claimed line honours at 22:51.18 local time on Friday evening having led the race from start to finish.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - a sniff of a hat-trick for Neil Pryde by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, Hong Kong

Never underestimate a seasoned campaigner. Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 HiFi crossed the finish line of the Rolex China Sea Race 2014 at Grande Island, Subic Bay this morning at 1107h, third on the water behind Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin 90 and Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky, to jump into the top spot for IRC Overall. Right now, it’s looking-over-the-shoulder time, but the next boats due to finish are... [more]

America's Cup Book Review: Winging It - Oracle Team USA's comeback *Feature by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz,

Winging It by noted America's Cup writers Diane Swintal, Steven Tsuchiya, and Robert Kamins, is not your father's book on the America's Cup.This is not a coffee table book, but more a working primer on the 34th America's Cup, the events that led up to the Match, and the racing it self - summarized in both narrative and data formats.... [more]

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: Switzerland drops trou for charity by Clipper Round the World,

When it comes to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, you may have heard the rumours, but now the evidence is here. The crew of Switzerland have saved two more lives on behalf of Mercy Ships, their official charity, after getting naked while sailing across the cold Pacific Ocean to raise money.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race 2014 - nip and tuck for IRC honours by RHKYC and Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, Hong Kong

They say that discerning gentleman sailors only sail on boats with a foot of waterline length for every year of their age. At age 87, Syd Fischer has got three years to go before he needs a bigger boat. Meanwhile, and after 57h 31m 18s of racing, he finally steered his 90 foot Maxi, Ragamuffin 90, over the line to claim Line Honours for the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - 27th edition underway by Louay Habib,

There were hundreds of smiling faces in Falmouth Harbour this morning. The 27th Edition of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta kicked off in glorious Caribbean weather, 20 knots of warm Trades' and two metre seas provided exciting conditions for the wondrous fleet of classic yachts that have gathered in Antigua.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Ragamuffin 90 claims line honours victory by KPMS,

In the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race, Ragamuffin 90 has sealed line honours, having led the entire 565-nm race from the start in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong to the finish in Subic Bay, The Philippines. Syd Fischer’s 90-ft Maxi finished the race at 22:51.18 local time, completing the course in 57 hours, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.... [more]

Saturday June 21st will feature the 39th One More time Regatta by Andy Kopetzky, Southern California

Saturday, June 21st will mark the 39th Annual One More Time Regatta. The event is open to all wooden hulled boats and is presented by the Wooden Hull Yacht Club and sponsored by Del Rey Yacht Club. It is the only regatta run in Santa Monica Bay exclusively for wooden hulled vessels.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Ragamuffin 90 extends unassailable lead by RHKYC,

The 27th edition of the Rolex China Sea Race looks certain to feature yachting legend Syd Fischer on the silverware, with Ragamuffin 90 sailing consistently to extend an unassailable lead on the water over her closest rivals and expected to finish just before midnight tonight.... [more]

Rolex China Sea Race - Commanding lead for Ragamuffin by KPMS,

In the Rolex China Sea Race, Syd Fischer’s 90-ft Maxi Ragamuffin has a commanding lead some 42 hours into the 27th edition. At 09:30 local time, Fischer’s Ragamuffin 90 was 134-nm from the finish line in Subic Bay, The Philippines and closing in on line honours.... [more]

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - An amazing fleet of traditional yachts by Louay Habib,

Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour has taken on the charm of days gone by, the 27th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by Panerai, has brought together an extra-ordinary fleet of traditional yachts from all over the world, the beautiful natural harbour is in a time-warp.... [more]

Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race - Freshwater adventure on tap by Kirsten Ferguson,

Affectionately known as the 'Bayview Mack,' the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race—hosted by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club—promises to deliver in more ways than one this year when it commences at 11:30 a.m.... [more]

Why the 49er class is pushing hard to get finals format changed +Video by Ben Remocker,

The 49er class has a tradition of pushing sailing forward, aligning to the Olympic ideals and the Olympic business model. The overall Olympic success is a complex tonic, but the core product is live sports. Live coverage of sailing is difficult and expensive. Traditionally it has also been slow paced and difficult to understand for non-sailors, the vast majority of Olympic customers.... [more]

Alpari World Match Racing Tour: Can Williams surpass Gilmour's record? by Alpari World Match Racing Tour,

Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar team begin the 2014 Alpari World Match Racing Tour with the aim, of course, of winning this year’s World Championship title. But as was the case in 2013, when Williams disappointingly finished overall runner-up to Taylor Canfield’s USone team, victory this year would be significant: To date Williams has won the Tour four times – in 2007-8 and 2011-12.... [more]

Coastal Cup sets sail from Alameda June 11 by Andrew Kopetzky,

Various coastal breezes and fabulous scenery of the West Coast of California await entrants of the 23rd annual Coastal Cup. The ocean race from San Francisco to Southern California will be returning to Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles.... [more]

PWA Cold Hawaii World Cup - Massive support from the local community by Robert Sand,

With massive local support, the PWA Cold Hawaii World Cup is back on the calendar for 2014. This is due to a three-year agreement made by Thisted Forsikring, a local and acknowledged Danish insurance company, which ensures the foundation for organizing the event.... [more]