Southampton Weather

Windy.com uses ECMWF forecast data to produce its interactive animated maps. The ECMWF model is widely regarded as the most accurate global weather model and is the same data used by professional meteorologists. The overlay buttons let you switch between wind, gusts, pressure and wave height.

PassageWeather provides GFS-based wind and wave forecasts tailored for sailors and mariners. Forecast charts are available for the English Channel (the most locally relevant view for Southampton) and the wider British Isles region. Each chart is updated every 6 hours as new GFS model runs become available.

Earth.nullschool.net produces a stunning real-time animated visualisation of the global wind field at the surface and at various altitudes. Unlike a static forecast chart, the particle animation gives an intuitive sense of wind direction and relative strength across the whole hemisphere at a glance.

Remember that forecast accuracy decreases with time. The Analysis (0h) chart shows the current modelled wind field. Forecasts to +48 hours are generally reliable; beyond that they should be treated as a guide to the broad pattern rather than precise speeds. Always check an up-to-date marine forecast for safety-critical decisions.