<![CDATA[What source of weather data Windy use?]]>Windy provides the option to choose from several different weather models. Below is a brief overview of all models which you can find on Windy.

_center_shadow_Forecast models

Global models:

  • ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) is sometimes informally known in the USA as the "European model". More info available at www.ecmwf.com
    • Resolution is 0.1° in lat/lon (~9 km).
    • The forecast output is produced every three hours for first 144 hours, six hourly through day 10.
  • GFS (Global Forecast System) - the model is operated by the United States' National Weather Service (NWS)
    • Resolution is ~22 km.
    • The forecast output is produced every hour for the first 120 hours, three hourly through day 10.
  • ICON Global (Global Forecast System) - the model is operated by the United States' National Weather Service (NWS)
    • Resolution is ~13 km.
    • The forecast output is produced every hour for the first 120 hours, three hourly through day 10.

Local models:

Europe

  • NEMS - This model is produced by Meteoblue.com, Swiss weather geniuses.
    • Resolution is ~4 km, available only for Europe.
  • ICON-EU - High resolution model developed and operated by German DWD. One of the most modern forecast models delivering very good results in Europe.
    • Resolution is ~7 km, available only for Europe.
  • ICON-D2
    • Resolution is 2.2km available in a western part of Europe.
  • AROME
    • Resolution is 0.01° (1.25km) available in a western part of Europe including France, Germany and the Alps.
  • AROME
    • Resolution is 0.01° (1.25km) available in a western part of Europe including France, Germany and the Alps.

USA

  • NAM CONUS
    • Resolution is ~5 km, available only for continental US.
  • NAM Alaska
    • Resolution is ~6 km, available only for Alaska.
  • NAM Hawaii
    • Resolution is ~3 km, available only for Hawaii.
  • HRRR
    • Resolution is ~3 km, available only for continental US.

Australia

  • ACCESS
    • Resolution is ~12 km, available for Australia.

It’s up to you which model meets your needs. You can easily switch between them on Windy.

Or you can compare them all at once:

  • Europe:

_center_shadow_2018-11-15_Compare-model-EUROPE-Prague.png

  • Europe newly with AROME model:

_center_shadow_2019-02-06_Compare-model-Europe-AROME.png

  • USA:

_center_shadow_2018-11-15_Compare-model-USA-Colorado.png

  • Hawaii:

_center_shadow_2018-11-15_Compare-model-USA-Hawaii.png

Resolution

  • Europe

_center

  • USA

_center

  • Australia

_center

]]>https://community.windy.com/topic/12/what-source-of-weather-data-windy-useRSS for NodeWed, 13 May 2026 16:44:59 GMTTue, 22 Sep 2015 19:38:54 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:00:31 GMT]]>@Atalantia
You are on satellite layer.
As satellites look at the Earth from above,
this is the cloud tops temperature.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/218815https://community.windy.com/post/218815Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:00:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:40:56 GMT]]>Where does Windy get this temperature? Is it on a fix altitude? Because here on ground level it is 31º.
Bildschirmfoto 2025-09-19 um 14.36.13.png

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/218803https://community.windy.com/post/218803Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:40:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:33:18 GMT]]>@ascutza For now, this is not possible, but we are planning to change this in one of planned updates for this year. Thank you for your patience.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/211159https://community.windy.com/post/211159Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:33:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:56:02 GMT]]>Hi guys! I totally appreciate all your work here!
I have a question and can't seem to find the resolution.
Can I change the default model on my windy app startup? I am a premium member as well but cannot find the option (not the layer but the forecast model).
I am currently in Eastern Europe and don't really like the ECMWF outputs and I want the Meteoblue or ICONEU to show my forecasts as default, but cannot seem to find where to make the switch and don't really feel like having to change models all the time.
Also, thanks a lot for the Compare forecasts option!!
Thanks in advance!

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/211131https://community.windy.com/post/211131Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:56:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:08:51 GMT]]>@MihneaAM
This post is very old (2015) but several models have been updated in the list.
However ALADIN now is missing and MSM too.
https://community.windy.com/topic/12/what-source-of-weather-data-windy-use?sort=oldest_to_newest
Then there is a mistake when it is said that “ICON Global - the model is operated by the United States National Weather Service (NWS)” !
And the pictures showing the model resolutions are showing in fact the domain of the models.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/198509https://community.windy.com/post/198509Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:08:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:12:12 GMT]]>@idefix37 I'm referring to the first post of this topic, not to the application itself.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/198504https://community.windy.com/post/198504Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:12:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:48:50 GMT]]>@MihneaAM
It is already there
AB6F79A0-262C-466C-9689-8892C0EC3FC8.jpeg

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/197796https://community.windy.com/post/197796Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:48:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:31:16 GMT]]>Hello. You should update the map/list with the ALADIN model from CHMI.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/197791https://community.windy.com/post/197791Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:31:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sat, 30 Mar 2024 17:35:26 GMT]]>Windy utilizes a combination of weather data sources to provide comprehensive forecasts. These include data from global weather models, satellite imagery, weather radar, and ground-based weather stations.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/184913https://community.windy.com/post/184913Sat, 30 Mar 2024 17:35:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sun, 21 May 2023 18:37:49 GMT]]>Lately seems that weather company data become so reliable for eastern Europe but Weather Channel is a shitty app. Are there any plans to include that data as a new model in Windy Premium? I know that the API is paid to access but maybe a new plan can be introduced to offer it. As Premium user I am willing to pay extra for that 😁

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/144168https://community.windy.com/post/144168Sun, 21 May 2023 18:37:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sun, 21 May 2023 07:07:43 GMT]]>@Plux
In Settings -> Start-up location and layer -> Start-up layer -> Use last overlay. Then you need to leave the app using your preferred model.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/144138https://community.windy.com/post/144138Sun, 21 May 2023 07:07:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sun, 21 May 2023 06:30:24 GMT]]>How can i save the preferable fcst model? When i open my app, it always shows ECMWF and i need to switch to ICON-EU.
Thanks

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/144134https://community.windy.com/post/144134Sun, 21 May 2023 06:30:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:09:49 GMT]]>@codeskipper said in What source of weather data Windy use?:

@ivo from what you can read at https://www.yr.no/artikkel/information-about-yr.no-1.2025949 the Norwegian national weather service use ECMWF data as just one of their sources for their own forecast model.

From comparing their Grib data with ECMWF as used in Windy now, I find the yr.no significantly more accurate, at least for my area of SW Norway.

Yr.no make their own data freely available, please see https://api.met.no.
For my area, I just use this url manually: https://api.met.no/weatherapi/gribfiles/1.1/?area=west_norway&content=weather

I would greatly appreciate for you to consider adding this data source to Windy as well, so the best interface could be used with the most accurate weather model. For starters, how about adding a feature to copy a grib file into Windy from another app?

Cheers,
Martinus

Thank you!

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/139686https://community.windy.com/post/139686Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:09:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:52:01 GMT]]>@john-marshal Hello, what weather model and layer were you using, please?

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/130829https://community.windy.com/post/130829Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:52:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:25:58 GMT]]>Hello, I was attempting to utilize your application here in Norway for snowkiting, and water currently in spring/summer. Anyway information utilized in Windyty is exceptionally erroneous for here, all accounts 90% exact.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/130762https://community.windy.com/post/130762Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:25:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:51:35 GMT]]>@rkeel61 What are you referring to please?

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/128832https://community.windy.com/post/128832Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:51:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sat, 17 Dec 2022 23:54:54 GMT]]>@TomSlavkovsky why don't you go through the help settings and figure it out.
Why do people say the dumbest thing.
They've got four models they use.
Mind boggles me what's wrong with people

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/128774https://community.windy.com/post/128774Sat, 17 Dec 2022 23:54:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Tue, 23 Aug 2022 08:34:14 GMT]]>@idefix37 thank you very much ,crystal clear.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/117387https://community.windy.com/post/117387Tue, 23 Aug 2022 08:34:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sat, 06 Aug 2022 16:52:37 GMT]]>@arda-gulcil
Hi,
I would not recommend only one model.
You know there are models providing long-range forecast (up to 10 days) and some short-range forecast (up to 2 days). The first ones have a lower resolution (about 10km or more), the second ones have a higher resolution (about 4km) in your area.
So the first ones are useful to know the weather in the next 5 or 7 days.
In this category I would recommend the ECMWF model, for instance to know if the Meltem wind is predicted to be strong next week.
For medium-range forecast try ICON EU
And for the shorter-range forecast it is better to use NEMS as this Mediterranean area shows a large quantity of mountainous coasts and islands. So you need a high resolution model to get more precision about wind force and direction. Local winds are highly influenced by mountains in the Aegean Sea.

Examples today at same hour
(shown with customized colours for wind):

ECMWF 9km resolution - 10-days range.
The Meltem strength is shown to be fairly even.

1BE425B3-B50E-4739-86C4-36AAB2513D23.jpeg

ICON 7km resolution - 5-days range
The wind is shown stronger between islands and weaker on leeward coasts.

716C9E89-D08F-42F7-B730-C95EFAFC2D81.jpeg

NEMS 4km resolution - 2.5-days range
The wind is shown even more accurately around islands and capes.

FDAE1F5B-6A50-4BFC-9BC6-6B4598F8D336.jpeg

My colour scale for wind is
Blueish green : 4 Beaufort
Bright green : 5 Beaufort
Orange : 6 Beaufort

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/115573https://community.windy.com/post/115573Sat, 06 Aug 2022 16:52:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:26:36 GMT]]>@arda-gulcil Hello, I recommend trying all the available models to find the best one for the location.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/115562https://community.windy.com/post/115562Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:26:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:32:56 GMT]]>Hello, my first message/question in the community hope no problem to ask such question. Which model you suggest to use in sailing in Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean coasts ? Thanks
Arda

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/115518https://community.windy.com/post/115518Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:32:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:16:31 GMT]]>@dzuremar said in What source of weather data Windy use?:

@idefix37 Hello ! We use AROME with resolution 0.01° (1.3km). Both of the AROME resolutions have 00, 06, 12 and 18 ref time runs. There are also 03, 09, 15 and 21 ref time runs which we don't process. Advantage of AROME 0.025° (2.5km) is that it includes pressure-level layers. AROME 0.01° provides only surface-level layers, only wind and relative humidity are additionally in 20m, 50m and 100m altitude. However, AROME 0.025° also covers much smaller area - a square that covers whole France and a bit of surrounding area.

It seems that the AROME 0.025 now cover the same area as AROME 0.01. Is there any chance that Windy switch, or add AROME 0.025 to the supported models? The area of new icon D2 is quiet small either. The french paragliding community badly needs the pressure layers on the AROME model

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/101923https://community.windy.com/post/101923Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:16:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sun, 21 Nov 2021 17:31:24 GMT]]>@howardkuo
The default model of Windy is the model from ECMWF. It is not possible to set another model as default.

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/92713https://community.windy.com/post/92713Sun, 21 Nov 2021 17:31:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What source of weather data Windy use? on Sun, 21 Nov 2021 07:39:24 GMT]]>Is it possible to default to NAM instead ECMWF?

]]>https://community.windy.com/post/92695https://community.windy.com/post/92695Sun, 21 Nov 2021 07:39:24 GMT