Numerical Weather Prediction data

Near-real-time meteorological products from the HARMONIE atmospheric model. NWP computer models use high performance computers to solve a set of hydro-dynamical equations that mathematically describe motions in the atmosphere. NWP simulations are used along with the skill of experienced forecasters to predict future weather events. There are many inputs to our prediction model such as, previous model run, current weather observations, marine buoy data and satellite imagery to name a few. The two main components of any atmospheric model are known as the dynamics and the physics. For the dynamics, we divide the forecast region into a grid and use mathematical algorithms to solve the equations governing the motions of the atmosphere at each grid-point. Currently, this grid has a 2km horizontal resolution. The physics of the model considers the key processes which occur at scales smaller than this, and thus are not “seen” by the grid. These include solar radiation and turbulence. The data presented here are from the control member of the ensemble NWP system. Each file represents the next 60 steps of the forecast. Each hourly file is availavble for approximately 24 hours here. Every effort is made to have a complete model run in each fie, that is, all 60 steps of the forecast, however due to timing and processing occasionally a file may not have all steps. This data is released in response to the EU's open data directive. For official weather forecasts please see met.ie