PassageWeather was developed out of the need for reliable, easy to use weather information and forecasts.
We provide 7-day Wind, Wave and Weather Forecasts to help sailors with their passage planning and weather routing.
Both before and during deliveries, ocean races, regattas, cruises and all other types of offshore passages, we have your whole route covered.
Our forecast charts are created using weather data provided by the US National Weather Service (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the Marine Meteorology Division of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Sailing Weather Service (SWS) and the Cyprus Oceanography Center.
Our worldwide Surface Wind (10m above sea level), Surface Pressure, Visibility, Cloud Cover and Precipitation forecast charts are derived from the 0.5 degree GFS (Global Forecast System) model, one of the operational forecast models run at NCEP. The GFS model is run four times daily, with forecast output to 180 hours (7.5 days).
For North America, we create higher-resolution Surface Wind (10m above sea level) charts using data from the 12 km (~0.12 degree) NAM (North American Mesoscale) model. This model, an NCEP implementation of the WRF-NMM model, is run 4 times a day, with forecast output to 84 hours (3.5 days).
We run higher-resolution Surface Wind (10m above sea level) charts for parts of Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, using data from the 18 km (~0.2 degree) COAMPS (Coupled Ocean / Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System) model. Developed by the NRL. This model is run twice a day, with forecast output to 72 hours (3 days).
We also run high-resolution Surface Wind (10m above sea level) charts for parts of Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea using data from the SWS-CM1 and SWS-RM1 models. These are advanced weather models developed and run by Sailing Weather Service, one of the world's most respected weather routing and consulting companies. The SWS-CM1 is a coastal model run on a 0.1 degree (~10km) grid, while the SWS-RM1 is a regional model run on a 0.25 degree (~25km) grid. These models are run four times a day, with forecast output to 120 hours (5 days).
Our Wave Height & Direction forecast charts are derived from the WW3 (WaveWatch III) model, the third generation of the wave model developed at NOAA/NCEP. The WW3 model is also run four times daily, with forecast output to 180 hours (7.5 days).
Note: The Great Lakes WW3 wave model only provides forecast output to 84 hours (3.5 days)
The Wave Height & Direction forecast charts for the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea are derived from the WAM4 wave model, run by the Cyprus Oceanography Center. The WAM4 model is run once a day, with forecast output to 108 hours (4.5 days).
The Gulf Stream Velocity and Direction charts (as well as these regions' Sea Surface Temperature charts) use data from the U.S. Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM), developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The NCOM model is run once a day, with forecast output to 72 hours (3 days).
We create the Sea Surface Temperature analysis charts using AVHRR + AMSR data from NASA's Earth Observing Satellite System, as well as ship and buoy SST observations. This data is produced daily, with output analysis valid the previous day.