Episode 2 – Illustrations
Forecasts IFREMER (see Episode 1) available in Weather4D are of two kinds :
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- Current forecasts from the MARS2D model
- Sea state forecasts (combined currents and waves) based on WW3 model
These files concern areas of the Channel and Atlantic whose coverage and resolutions are significantly different.
IFREMER Currents
- Northeast Atlantic
- Atlantic Channel
- East Channel
- West Channel
- Finistere
- South Brittany
- Aquitaine
IFREMER WW3 waves & currents
- North Channel
- South Channel
- Northern Gascony
- South Gascony
- Pas de Calais
- Normandie
- Cotentin
- Armor
- Finistere
- South Brittany
- Loire
- Charentes
- Aquitaine
Usage
In coastal navigation, and even more in regattas along our French Channel-Atlantic coasts, the precision of the grids provided makes it possible to identify current and counter-current flows with the utmost accuracy, particularly in narrow passages when tidal currents are reversing. For example in the Iroise Sea :
IFREMER Finistere with a wider view of the Iroise Sea
Zooming in with the same model on Le Conquet and Pointe Saint-Matthieu, we can clearly distinguish the zones of currents and counter-currents at different times of the tide :
IFREMER Finistere in zoomed view
Same thing with the same model at Raz de Sein :
IFREMER Finistere in zoomed view
Routing
To combine an Arome HD weather model and a very high resolution current and wave model, we can use in the routing parameters the same IFREMER WW3 model for oceanic wave and current data :
We can therefore clearly see all the benefits that can be gained from these ultra-high resolution models., subject to having sufficiently recent tablets and smartphones equipped with the essential capabilities to limit possible unexpected blockages in use.
Currents in the Gulf of Morbihan
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Episode 1 – Description
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Actually, devices older than 2020 will “row” with these files. But users are still demanding more features, upgrading devices becomes essential. Currently with my 9th generation iPad 2021 (bought second hand to replace an Air 3), I have no difficulty handling Ifremer files. Weather4D allows you to load up to 150MB in an area.
Hello Francis
When will we see identical models for our dear Mediterranean? ?
I already don't know many boaters using the Copernicus MED model, so apart from for a few experienced sailors who would it be useful for ? You should know that the management of Ifremer files requires very significant and expensive IT resources which are only financed by weather subscriptions.
Hello Francis
Exactly, you rightly mention the limit of tablets which are not necessarily state-of-the-art (I have an iPad Air 2 to 2015). These files are very large (140 MB compressed) and definitely “crash” Weather 4D on my tablet. It's even difficult to return to another loading zone for wind and/or current/wave models because by default, it is the area of the previous configuration which is loaded and the “cancel” button has no effect…
IPad Air 5 / 2022 in view all the same, because after 10 years of service, my battery and lightning connector are dead.