Real-time vs forecast
For the current situation regarding the hurricane, we recommend using the Radar+ layer. This combines satellite imagery and weather radar coverage if it's within the radar's reach. You can turn on/off the satellite or radar layer as you want.
Where to find the Hurricane Tracker
The ultimate tool for tracking hurricanes is the Hurricane Tracker, which has all available forecast scenarios. For the United States, these are usually issued by NHC, ECMWF, and UKM. By default, we always show the local model.
Using Windy images in media
Windyty, S.E. (owner of Windy.com) gives you full right to use any videos, animations, or screen captures in any media, project, or any other intellectual work for free as long as the "Windy.com" logo remains visible. If you want to go beyond screenshots or video captures, use Windy Embed at embed.windy.com
Windy Premium vs. Free
The Hurricane Tracker has no limitations. The hurricane forecast remains the same. We don't sell ads or data, and you don't even have to register. The Hurricane Tracker is free for all.
If you want to support us, we will happily have you as a Premium member. Subscribe to unlock a 15-day AI forecast, more frequent updates of the weather models, tide forecast, the route planner, a one-year archive of satellite and weather radar imagery, and much more.
HURRICANE WIND SPEEDS VS. FORECAST WIND SPEEDS EXPLAINED
As with every year during hurricane season, there is a lot of confusion about hurricanes, their forecast, and their measurements. That's why we've given you a brief summary of how to navigate Windy, where to find out about the current situation, and where to find forecast information.
Weather maps based on numerical models
All the weather maps you are used to on Windy are made up of numerical models that are created at a certain resolution (e.g. 9 km for the ECMWF model). They don't show the measured values, they show the forecast. Specifically, in the case of wind, it is the AVERAGE value at 10 meters above the ground. From such a map it is not possible to determine the maximum wind speeds of a hurricane.
Such maps show the direction of the tropical cyclone and the AVERAGE values, not maximum wind speeds. The model is created from data that is several hours old and is not used to describe the current situation.
That's why we developed a hurricane-tracking tool a few years ago.
The hurricane forecast using the Dvorak Technique
Some tropical cyclone observatories (NOAA, Met Office, ECMWF) also issue a special hurricane forecast, where they estimate the strength of the hurricane based on e.g. the Dvorak Technique, which also uses measurements directly from the hurricane for its calculations (measurement, and patterns usual for hurricanes in the area).
Hurricane data is collected, among other things, from aircraft flying directly into the hurricane. Much respect to all Hurricane Hunters!
LATEST UPDATES ON HURRICANE RAFAEL
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