All forecast data is taken from GFS – simply because its more accessible and free. A bit of fiddling and meddling goes on and this is some of the output.
Date – Calendar day, all parameters summed or plotted over a calendar day other than min temp. Rainfall totaled from midnight to midnight.
Forecast – Self explanatory, predicted wind directions are surface directions and run from midnight to midnight, left to right.
Min Temp – Overnight minimum temp between 7pm-7am. GFS 2m Temp data is correlated to ground observations and then predictions are made based on the correlation.
Max Temp – Daytime maximum temp between 7am – 7pm. GFS 2m Temp data is correlated to ground observations and then predictions are made based on the correlation.
Rainfall – 24hr rainfall , midnight to midnight, total rainfall in mm.
Snow Level – Forecast minimum snow level within 24hr period, not reported if there is no forecast rainfall.
Mean Wind Speed – On a scale of 0-25kph.
Max Gust Speed – On a scale of 0-40kph.
Snow Level – Graphs forecast ‘snow settling level’ on a scale of 0-3000m asl.
Stability – Mix of other weather stability indices. Values below the line = stable, drier, clearer weather, conversely values above the line = less stable or unstable weather, likely to be cloudier, windier and likely rain or showers.
850TMPs – Scale of -6 to +20, atmospheric temperature ~1500m above sea level. Cold values could equate to snow to low levels, high temperatures could indicate daytime maximums over 30 at or close to sea level.
500TMPs – Scale of -40 to -15, atmospheric temperature ~5500m above sea level.
Dewpoint Depressions – At Surface, 850mb (1500m asl), 700mb (3000m asl) and 500mb (5500m asl) levels, are difference between air temperature and the dewpoint. Large dewpoint differentials denote a drier air mass, conversely if air temperature and dewpoints are similar this indicates that the air is saturated or close to saturated.
Weather Events – A criteria based analysis to signify whether that weather event may be possible. A red indicator suggests the potential a weather event. The ‘fog’ indicator only indicates the potential for a radiation fog (cold, clear, still night)
Indices – the max or min value (depending on the index), may of the index’s included in the Stability plot (see above), C-Haines index relates to fire behaviour, high values = greater fire danger.
The Weather Project 