Welcome to the Eclipse Weather Desk Annular Solar Eclipse May 20/21 2012 |
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| Recommended Links for the U.S.A. | |||
| Satellite | Model Graphics | Numerical Model | Observations |
| READY | National Weather Service | ||
| See below for details about each link | |||
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Satellite Imagery: North America Desk |
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| College of Dupage Satellite Display | High resolution rectified visible and infrared images available. Pick either 1 km or 2 km resolution from the box on the upper left, then the type of image (visible, infrared, water vapor, radar). Select the location of the image center from the map. To animate the images, click on the image titles above the satellite photo (visible, infrared, water vapor, radar) and then the duration of the animation loop that you want. |
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| California Regional Weather Server | Select from menu. Images are not rectified, but show whole of eclipse track over western USA | ||
| NexSat Image Display | Experimental high-resolution color display for western US. Click on image for high-resolution display; then select animation or multiple image display from menu above image. Covers entire eclipse track | ||
| SSEC GOES Satellite Display | Visible wavelengths only. Click on image to see full-resolution static image, or select animation check-box for lower-resolution sector. |
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Computer Forecast Models: North America Desk |
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| Clear Sky Clock | Graphical depiction of cloud cover and other astronomical parameters from Canadian Global Model. Select site from clickable map. Hourly resolution to 48 hours. For zoomable and clickable Google map, go here. |
| RAL Real-Time Weather | Provides access to RUC, Eta (a.k.a. NAM), and GFS models with cloud forecasts for each one. RUC (Rapid Update Cycle) is normally used for severe weather forecasting but gives high-resolution views of clouds and other weather parameters out to 12 hours. |
| Skippy Sky | Map display of critical astronomical parameters and a major resource for eclipse watchers. Select region, parameter, and time from menu across top of image. Skippy Sky forecasts are based on US GFS model and should show results similar to ARL display. Forecasts available out to five days. |
| Cloud forecasts available from American NAM and GFS models. NAM (North American Model) is high resolution model that extends for 84 hours into the future. GFS model goes to 180 hours (7.5 days) and GFS Long-Range, from 180 to 384 hours (16 days). RUC model extends to 12 hours only, but gives hourly resolution, though not of cloud cover. | |
| READY Forecast Graphics | A part of the ARL site above where you can get displays of meteorological parameters such as a graph of cloud cover at any point on the globe for for 8 days ahead. This site is well worth exploring. It uses the U.S. GFS model. Can be tailored exactly for your observation site. |
| National Center for Environmental Prediction | Source of NAM and GFS models. Cloud parameters are not shown explicitly, but 850 mb (low), 700 mb (middle), and 500 mb (high) level moisture (relative humidity) maps are available; these can be used to infer cloud amounts. This site will likely have the earliest release of updated model calculations. Select "Model Guidance", then either "NAM" or "GFS"; GFS will default to US region. In the next page, select parameter (i.e. 700_rh_ht) and then pick "loop all" or the image or time frame that you wish. The animation loop can be stopped and stepped at any time. |
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Radar: North America Desk |
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Select either "1 km products" or "2 km products" from menu at top left of map, then "radar". Select site from clickable map. Static radar for region will be displayed. To animate, select "Radar Mosaic" from menu above map display; then select time frame. Note that mountains will appear in the radar display; they are the parts of the image that don't move. If they do move, Allais was right. |
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Surface Weather Observations: North America Desk |
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Omnibus site for current weather observations and forecasts. |
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| Local National Weather Service Offices | Links to NWS offices organized by state. |
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Satellite Imagery: Asia Desk |
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| Honk Kong Observatory | Colourized still and animated satellite images for region from Vietnam to southern Japan. Images are available from both polar and geostationary satellites, though polar images may not prove to be too useful until just before eclipse time. |
| Japan Meteorological Agency Satellite Display | Rectified image of eastern Asia available at half-hour intervals. Select viewing parameters from menu. |
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Computer Forecast Models: Asia Desk |
| NCEP Numerical Model Output for Asia | American GFS model centered over China, but including the whole of the western portion of the eclipse track. No cloud forecasts available, but model outputs of low (850 mb), middle (700 mb) and high (500 mb)-level relative humidity can be used to infer cloud amount. Select parameter (i.e. 700_rh_ht) and then pick "loop all" or the image or time frame that you wish. The animation loop can be stopped and stepped at any time. |
| Hong Kong Observatory Regional Model | Local model output, covering almost all of western portion of eclipse track out to 72 hours. For cloud cover, select "surface" and "weather". Wind, humidity, and pressure forecasts also available. |
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Surface Weather Observations: Asia Desk |
| Current Weather: Hong Kong | Select from extensive menu that includes observations and local web cameras. Cloud observations are available from Hong Kong International Airport link. |
| Forecasts and Observations: Japan | Menu containing current observations and forecasts. For current weather, choose from Map or Table. For forecasts, choose from map or table. |
| NMC, China Observations | Limited English-language information. Current observations and one forecast (for non-specific time) on opening page. |