Wind & Temp Maps
Wind & Temp Maps
Upper Level Wind & Temp maps are created for the following forecast periods for the following geographic regions:
Region Analysis Forecast Model
Regional U.S. Every Hour 6/12 hr fcst every 3 hours RUC
U.S. Every 3 Hours 12/24 hr fcst every 6 hours ETA
All Others Every 6 Hours 12/24 hr fcst every 6 hours AVN
And are generated at the following atmospheric levels:
Altitude Pressure
FL050 850 mb
FL100 700 mb
FL180 500 mb
FL240 400 mb
FL300 300 mb
FL340 250 mb
FL390 200 mb
FL450 150 mb
FL300 Wind & Temp Analysis
Europe FL390 Wind & Temp 24 Hour Forecast
Southwest U.S. FL050 Wind & Temp 6 Hour Forecast
Map depicts the analysis or forecast of upper level winds and temps. Wind speed and direction is depicted using standard wind flags. Wind speed is calculated by adding all of the shaded triangles (50 kts each) and barbs (10 kts for full barb and 5 kts for half barb) on each flag. For example, two triangles and one barb would represent a wind speed of 110 kts. Wind direction is determined by the orientation of the flag. Wind is blowing from the tail of the flag (where flags are) to the head of the flag (where dot is).
Wind flags are positioned at the optimum resolution for the map area. Most flags are placed every 2.5 degrees of latitude (150 nm) and longitude. For smaller geographic regions such as the regional U.S. maps, flags are placed every 75 nm.
Temperature is depicted at various wind flag heads. Temperature is in degrees Celsius and is preceded by a minus sign of the temperature is negative.
Maps are created based upon the availability of numerical model data used to generate the map. Most maps are generated based upon the model data output at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC. Some maps are created more frequently if the data is available more often. The primary numerical model data comes from the U.S. National Weather Service, with backup data provided by the U.K. Met Office.