Site Info :: Using WaveWatch Features

WaveWatch Animated Surf Forecast Maps

WaveWatch custom animated maps gives you an unprecedented look 7 days into the future. Drawing information from buoys located throughout the world and with WaveWatch's technology interface, you have the power to visualize how open ocean swells, winds and wave period can effect the surf.

1) 7-Day timeline - As the map animates, blue indicator signifies information for that day. There are 4 views or maps generated in 6 hour segments for each day. Clicking on a particular day will bring show that map for that day.

2) Map controls– Click play and stop to animate the map.

3) Map View- By clicking on one of the 4 forecast model buttons, you can toggle between different map views.

Surf Maps – Potential size of a breaking wave. This view calculates the combined swell height information and period information.
Swell Maps – significant open ocean heights.
Period Maps- The swell period is measured by the time it takes for two successive swell or wave crests to pass a stationary point.
Wind- measures and illustrates wind speeds and direction on the ocean surface.

4) Scale - rolling over the word "scale", reveals scale for that map. Clicking on "get current map" will capture a screen shot of the map currently displayed.

Measurement Units - Toggles between standard and metric measurements.

5) Get Current Map - Captures image of current map. This image can then be printed or saved.

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Current Conditions Tool

Wind for region - Getting data directly from ocean buoys, WatchWatch displays wind conditions. To view criteria for anemometer icon, roll your mouse over icon. Icon criteria is unique to each region.

Temperature for region - Getting data directly from ocean buoys, WaveWatch displays air and sea temperature. To view criteria for wetsuit icon, roll your mouse over icon. Icon criteria is unique to each region.

General wave height for region - The WaveWatch system continuously collects wave data from ocean buoys and incorporates the swell height and period data and formulates the potential surf height. To view criteria for wave icon, roll your mouse over icon. Icon criteria is unique to each region.

WaveWatch 7-day forecast tool

It took a team of programmers, oceanographers, and designers months to create WaveWatch's revolutionary forecasting tool. This condensed, but powerful tool, has lots of features to equip you with the information you need.

Each section has a graphical overview of the information. buy clicking on the panel, more detailed information will drop down ( )

Measurements - Toggles all measurements from Standard to Metric

Surf Height

Chart - tracks 6 different swells, represented with different color lines. Blue line represents the combined swell height. Scroll by clicking and dragging on chart.

1) Combined wave height - Adds available information from all swells (up to six) and estimates wave heights.

2) Individual swells being tracked - Numbers below correlate with lines above. Roll over the line of the numbers for additional information

3) Period in Seconds - Longer periods usually indicates bigger surf.

4) Swell Angle - This is helpful if you know what angles are best for your break.

Rollover items for more information or to track information on lines above.

Tides

Tide report - Lists tide changes. This is a general report and because tides vary from location to location, listings may not be accurate for larger regions (e.g. Florida's east coast).

1) Graphical Tide View - View represents the up and down motion of tides.

2) Actual Tide Data - Numbers below correlate with tide lines above.