Major sea currents update: high resolution and new Tidal currents

Korina

A big update for users who are interested in marine data! With the new version 28.1.1. we have significantly improved our Sea currents map and added a new parameter Tidal currents.

What's new:

new layer Tidal currents
updated Currents map
higher resolution
regular daily updates and forecast for 2 days

Source of our data is CMEMS (Copernicus Marine Service) and both parameters are available on desktop as well as in the app.

Tidal Currents

Tidal currents occur in conjunction with the rise and fall of the tide. The vertical motion of the tides near the shore causes the water to move horizontally, creating currents.

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photo:Windy.com;desc:Gibraltar,Tidal currents layer;licence:cc

Currents

Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind and water density.

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photo:Windy.com;desc:The Gulf Stream, Currents layer;licence:cc

Stay safe and stay tuned for more upcoming features!

idefix37

@korina
Awesome layer !
Have you changed anything since this post?
https://community.windy.com/topic/15265/tidal-currents?_=1614707415967

Korina

@idefix37 Thank you, we have not.

jmh2002

@korina

It's really great news that some updates have been done to this functionality.

However it's also really a pity that the Current direction is still shown incorrectly / unconventionally as reported several years ago.

Why is it displayed this way?

Are there any plans to change/correct this?

Thanks :)

Korina

@jmh2002 Hello, thank you for pointing this out.

We have just fixed it on desktop (app fix will come with the next version), please check it and let us know if there is something else to be corrected.

canani

How to obtain it?

Fatima

Korina

@canani Hello, currents are available on desktop and in the app.

idefix37

@korina said in Major sea currents update: high resolution and new Tidal currents:

We have just fixed it on desktop (app fix will come with the next version), please check it and let us know if there is something else to be corrected.

That's fine ! The currents direction is now correct. In these 2 new layers the direction of currents is where they are flowing towards, so in the conventional way, both in degree or in cardinal direction

jmh2002

@korina said in Major sea currents update: high resolution and new Tidal currents:

@jmh2002 Hello, thank you for pointing this out.

We have just fixed it on desktop (app fix will come with the next version), please check it and let us know if there is something else to be corrected.

Thanks! it's really great to finally have fixed this bug :)

doug cusick

how do i load this info?

idefix37

@doug-cusick
Under Waves select Currents or Tidal currents. If Currents are not in the list, see More layers... below the list.

TandemTime

@korina Does the Currents view provide the Net effect of both wind driven and tidal driven flows? If not - this would be a highly valuable addition to enable better passage planning.
Similarly, does your Wave Model take the effect of Wind driven currents AGAINST tidal driven currents into account?

idefix37

@tandemtime
There are 2 currents layers in Windy.
Currents which includes all type of currents. As wind is the main factor of ocean circulation, its effect is taken into account (but not sure for a local wind)
https://marine.copernicus.eu/news/new-catalogue-release-wind-wave-ocean-current-and-biogeochemical-variables
Tidal currents is deducted from variation of sea altimetry
https://community.windy.com/topic/15265/tidal-currents?_=1614707415967
Concerning waves models, WW3 model is said to include the effect of surface currents, WAM model apparently not.
Depending where you usually sail, these layers are interesting but it is advised to rely on other traditional and official information sources for currents and their effect on sea surface, specially near the coast.