In addition to the GFS model forecasts that we provide for all global regions, we also offer high-resolution wind forecasts for Europe and North America. The weather models that produce these forecasts, namely the WRF, COAMPS and NAM models, are non-hydrostatic mesoscale models that produces higher resolution wind forecasts than the GFS model, which is run on a 13km (0.25 degree) grid.

These higher-resolution models should provide more accurate wind forecasts, especially in areas where the local terrain/topography is a big influence on the wind speed and direction. Examples of such areas include the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Bonifacio.

Please keep in mind that no single weather model is going to always be better than the others, so it's best to have a look at both the GFS forecasts and the higher resolution (WRF, COAMPS or NAM) forecasts to get a better idea of what to expect. It's always good to have a second opinion.

Note that the WRF model only provides forecast output to 72 hours (3 days), the COAMPS model only provides forecast output to 96 hours (4 days), the NAM model provides forecast output to 84 hours (3.5 days), as opposed to 180 hours (7.5 days) for the GFS model.

The WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model is an advanced weather model run by Frivind AS, a company that specialises in maritime forecasting and data modelling. The WRF is a high-resolution model run on a 9km (~0.075 degree) grid. This model is run four times a day, alternating between North Europe and Central Europe, with forecast output to 72 hours (3 days).

WRF wind forecasts are only available for the European and Mediterranean Sea regions and sub-regions.

To view these forecasts, click on the "WRF" tab located directly above the wind forecast charts.

The NAM (North American Mesoscale) model, which is run on a 12km (~0.12 degree) grid, is a NOAA/NCEP implementation of the WRF-NMM model. The NAM model is run 4 times a day, with forecast output to 84 hours (3.5 days).

NAM wind forecasts are only available for the North American regions and sub-regions.

To view these forecasts, click on the "NAM" tab located directly above the wind forecast charts.

The COAMPS (Coupled Ocean / Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System), which is run on a 18km (~0.2 degree) grid, is produced at the Marine Meteorology Division of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The COAMPS model is run twice a day, with forecast output to 96 hours (4 days).

COAMPS wind forecasts are only available for the European and Mediterranean Sea regions and sub-regions.

To view these forecasts, click on the "COAMPS" tab located directly above the wind forecast charts.