Total Solar Eclipse November 13 2012 Weather Desk

You have reached the Eclipse Weather Desk Essential forecast links in support of the total solar eclipse of 2012 November 13

Quick Links
Satellite	Model Graphics	Numerical Model	Observations
Brisbane Storm Chasers	READY	Skippy Sky	Queensland reports
The above"Quick Links" will lead you to recommended sites for weather products in the critical hours ahead of the eclipse. The links below are for more leisurely investigation
	Satellite Image Links
Brisbane Storm Chasers	Provides access to high-resolution visible-light images and low-resolution infrared images across Australia. Click on the desired wavelength type in the bar above the radar displays and then select the desired part of Australia, if a choice is available. Visible-light images will just barely become available over the Queensland coast before the early-morning eclipse.
NexSat Global Satellite Display (Australia)	Click on map for larger view. Make image choices from menu on left. Infrared image scale is small. Be patient with the downloads.
Bureau of Meteorology Satellite Display	Select region and spectral band from drop-down menus. Low-resolution images only.
Caboolture Weather	Polar-orbiting satellite images of Australia. These images have higher resolution than most of the geostatonary satellite picutures, but are available only 4-8 times per day. They are probably the best bet for eclipse-day morning if available in time. May not be compatible with Firefox.
NOAA Southern Hemisphere Satellite Images	Best sector for ship observation sites between Australia and New Zealand. Select MTSAT East.
Current visible-light image of of central Queensland. This image is not available overnight. Refresh page to update. Image: Brisbane Storm Chasers

	Computer Forecast Models
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 American GFS model and should show results similar to ARL display (in the column below). Forecasts available out to five days.
Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) READY Forecast Model display	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 8 days ahead using the American GFS model. This site is well worth exploring. Can be tailored exactly for your observation site using latitude and longitude inputs.

	Radar
Cairns Radar	Short-range and long-range displays available. Radar will provide the most accurate display of cloud motion, provided there are precipitating clouds to be detected.

	Surface Weather Observations
Bureau of Meterology (Queensland)	Surface-based observations from weather stations in Queensland
Bureau of Meterology (Northern Territory)	Surface-based observations from weather stations in the Northern Territory

Updated: June 2012