Best maps and forecasting tools online?

[Angie K Holliday]

I seem to get lost trying to find maps and information online these days. I have a slightly short attention span since I have a nearly one year old daughter, so I can't really search through map after map and all the model options.

So, what are your suggestions for online resources for forecasting? I need something that I can go to and see what you all can see when you're planning your chase outings!!! I used to know this stuff better, and my skills are leaving me. Please advise me before I lose all my forecasting skills!

 

[M Potter]

Myself I like F5 data you can personalize it to best suit you. they have a couple of different price levels I think they have a basic plan for free and up to $25 a month. It has all the main models and more. Hope this helps!

 

[Angie Norris]

I like using CoD for models, soundings and surface charts. The displays are larger so the details are easier to see IMO. The only problem I've run into is that the models are a bit slow to update at times, and are occasionally totally out of date. That's when I'll fall back on UCAR, but those displays are smaller and the surface charts seem to be a bit too cluttered. I know a lot of people like Earl's page, but there is too much there for my liking.
Just my 0.02

 

[Tyler_Costantini]

I use Ensco’s Met Wise Net, It’s more or less AWIPS for windows. It runs $20 / mo and they claim you will never surf the web for weather again, I would have to say it’s close to the truth. I have had several forecasters from my local NWS office take over my laptop and drool as soon as they see it.

Here it the link.

http://www.extremeforecasting.com/

 

[rdale]

Can't go wrong with GEMPAK -- all the tools of AWIPS but much less processor-intensive... And you aren't downloading stuff on the fly as you're trying to analyze data, it's coming in the background so ready for you when you need it. http://skywatch.org

 

[Andrew Herron]

http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/index.php
http://weather.cod.edu/forecast/

Those are the four that I generally use. I'm working on a site that will allow you to overlay any model map with any other. This is taking some time but I hope to have it finished soon.

Anyone else got any good FREE sources of info?

 

[Eric Flescher]

mac, linux and windows version of GEMPAK

Thanks for posting that information about GEMPAK.

I was not hopeful but just for the heck of it I went into the site and found that there are different versions- even a mac one that could possibly use with wifi enabled ibook g4.

There of course is a windows version but also Linux.
::

Can't go wrong with GEMPAK -- all the tools of AWIPS but much less processor-intensive... And you aren't downloading stuff on the fly as you're trying to analyze data, it's coming in the background so ready for you when you need it. http://skywatch.org

 

[Anthony Petito]

http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/index.php
http://weather.cod.edu/forecast/

Those are the four that I generally use. I'm working on a site that will allow you to overlay any model map with any other. This is taking some time but I hope to have it finished soon.

Anyone else got any good FREE sources of info?

Andrew... If you need some help with the site let me know. I've been working with mapping products for years and might be able to give you a hand at getting it released. Would be nice to see more free versions out there, especially ones that can aggregate from several different sources.

 

[AlDanks]

FWIW - I put together a couple of pages that aggregate from various sources.

http://www.fhnwrestling.com/grweather.htm

For faster loads while chasing:

http://www.fhnwrestling.com/grchase.htm

Al