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Weatherzone Layers

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General Use

Perspective

The “perspective” of the map defines which layer (e.g. radar, forecast model) the time steps will be based on which, in turn, affects available animation length and interval between time steps. It also has a bearing on which layers are enabled (e.g. the radar layer is disabled when you switch to the forecast perspective).

Available perspectives are:

  • Radar (default): new radar images are available every five minutes
  • Satellite: new satellite images are available every 10 minutes but have longer latency than radar images
  • Forecast: the available time steps will be those of the selected model in the Forecast Models layer
  • NASA EOSDIS: one image per day

Time Steps and Animation

By default, the most up to date time step is displayed.

To step through the time steps you may:

  • drag the slider in the animation toolbar
  • use the backwards and forwards buttons in the animation toolbar
  • hit 'J' to go back by one step or 'A' to go back by 24 hours
  • hit 'L' to go forward by one step or 'D' to go forward by 24 hours

To animate, simply hit the play button in the animation toolbar.

You may change the characteristics of the animation by opening the animation options toolbar from the main animation toolbar, and modifying the duration, interval, speed and dwell.

Main Toolbar

Buttons in the main toolbar:

  • Zoom to location: Uses your browser's geolocation capabilities to zoom to your current position. Your browser may request permission for Layers to access this information.
  • Mark location: Uses your browser's geolocation capabilities to mark your current position. In the case that you are moving the marker will continue to update. Your browser may request permission for Layers to access this information.
  • Share: Opens a dialog containing a URL which may be used to bookmark or share your current map view, including enabled layers, layer opacities and map domain.
  • Reset: Resets the map and all layers to their default state.
  • Legend: Toggles whether the map legend is visible.
  • Help: Displays this Help dialog.
  • Collapse: Collapses all of the layer options panels in the layer chooser.

Available Weather Layers

Radar

A composite of all available radar images from around the country. A new image becomes available every five minutes.

Lightning

Lightning strikes detected by the Weatherzone Total Lightning Network within the past 60 minutes.

Satellite

Satellite imagery from JMA's Himawari geostationary meteorological satellite. A new image becomes available every 10 minutes.

  • Day/Night: True colour visible imagery during the day blends to infrared imagery at night.
  • Infrared: Greyscale representation of temperature sensed by the satellite.
  • Enhanced Infrared: Colour-enhanced version of the infrared image.
  • Visible: Greyscale representation of reflectance sensed by the satellite. Daytime only.
  • Water Vapour: Colour-enhanced indication of how far into the atmosphere the satellite sensed 1mm worth of water vapour.
  • Ice/Flood/Fire: False colour visible/infrared imagery which highlights ice (cyan), water (black) and burn scars.
  • Visible/Infrared: Composite image with low (warm) cloud appearing yellow, high cloud appearing blue and thick cloud appearing white.

Forecast Models

Charts showing forecast parameters from various Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The current and two previous runs are available to view for each model.

You may toggle between the current and a previously viewed model, run or chart by hitting 'M', 'R' and 'C' respectively.

NASA EOSDIS

Numerous types of imagery captured by NASA's various polar orbiting satellites on a daily basis, and made publically available through their Earth Observing division.

Location Forecasts

Forecast parameters including minimum and maximum temperature, and precis for towns and cities around the world.

Observations Plot

A simplified WMO-style plot of weather observations including dry bulb and dew point temperatures, accumulated rainfall and wind speed and direction. A new image becomes available every 20 minutes.

Observations Field

Colour-coded values for weather observations, which unlike the Observations Plot layer, are not decluttered. A new image becomes available every 20 minutes.

Other Tips

  • When viewing NWP model charts, you may toggle between the current and a previously viewed model, run or chart by hitting 'M', 'R' and 'C' respectively.

Weather Layers

Terrain, Borders & Locations