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    Jari Sochorová

    @Jari Sochorová

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    Best posts made by Jari Sochorová

    • Canadian Smoke over Europe: a Jet Stream Story

      In early June 2025, people across many parts of Western and Central Europe enjoyed several days of beautifully colored sunrises and sunsets. This stunning display was linked to smoke from massive wildfires burning more than 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) away in central Canada.

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      Colorful sunset over Bibury, Gloucestershire, England (31 May 2025); Ed Robinson

      How is it possible that smoke particles could travel such a vast distance across the entire Atlantic? The key to this long-range transport lies high up in the atmosphere, in a region known as the jet stream. This powerful high-altitude wind can carry fine particles thousands of kilometers across continents and oceans.

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      Smoke from Canadian wildfires captured in a GOES-19 satellite image (1 June 2025); NOAA

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      CAMS total aerosol optical depth analysis over the North Atlantic (30 May and 1 June 2025); CAMS

      What is the jet stream?

      The jet stream is a relatively narrow band of very strong winds, typically blowing from west to east. Its shape is often compared to that of a flattened tube with an approximately horizontal axis, stretching for thousands of kilometers, while its diameter is usually only a few hundred kilometers. It is located in the upper layers of the troposphere, often 1 to 2 kilometers below its upper boundary, known as the tropopause. This corresponds to an altitude of roughly 6 to 13 kilometers (about 4 to 8 miles) above the Earth's surface.

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      The jet stream can be imagined as a flattened tube with a nearly horizontal axis; NOAA (slightly modified)

      According to some definitions, a jet stream is classified as airflow with a speed of at least 30 m/s (approximately 108 km/h or 67 mph). Jet streams commonly reach speeds of around 180 km/h (50 m/s, 112 mph), but in extreme cases can exceed 400 km/h (122 m/s, 273 mph).

      The history of jet stream discovery

      One of the earliest discoverers of the jet stream is often considered to be the Japanese meteorologist Wasaburo Ooishi, who in the 1920s used weather balloons to study upper-level air currents.

      The term jet stream first appeared in 1939, in a scientific paper by German meteorologist Heinrich Seilkopf, who used the term Strahlströmung, meaning “beam flow”.

      The intensive use of aircraft during World War II greatly expanded knowledge of upper-level air flow and atmospheric dynamics in the higher layers of the troposphere.

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      The Institute of Meteorology, Class of 1940–41 (C. G. Rossby: 3rd row, 5th from left), Portrait of meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Rossby; American Meteorological Society/Library of Congress

      A significant contribution to understanding the origin and dynamics of the jet stream came from Swedish-American meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Rossby (1898–1957). He was one of the founding figures of the so-called Chicago School of Dynamic Meteorology, a group of scientists who, during the 1940s and 1950s, worked at the University of Chicago and studied the principles of general atmospheric circulation. Their research played a fundamental role in establishing the theoretical and physical foundations on which modern numerical weather prediction was later built.

      Why do jet streams form?

      Because of two essential ingredients: heating and rotation.

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      Average solar insolation in September 2013; NASA

      The Sun does not heat the Earth evenly. Areas near the equator receive more solar radiation and warm up more than regions near the poles. When warm air masses meet cold ones, the warm air rises into higher layers of the atmosphere, while the colder air moves in to replace it from below. This movement creates air flow, in other words, wind.

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      Global atmospheric circulation: without Earth’s rotation (left), with rotation (right); Eastern Illinois University via Royal Meteorological Society

      If the Earth did not rotate, the rising warm air from equatorial regions would flow directly toward the poles in the upper troposphere. However, because the Earth rotates, the Coriolis force deflects this air flow, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result of this uneven heating and the planet’s rotation, three distinct circulation cells form in each hemisphere: the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the polar cell.

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      Cross section of the Northern Hemisphere showing jet streams and tropopause elevations; Atmospheric Sciences at Northern Vermont University

      This three-cell atmospheric circulation system causes air masses with very different temperatures to meet in zones around 30° and 50°–60° latitude in both hemispheres. The greater the temperature difference, the stronger the resulting winds. These sharp horizontal temperature contrasts lead to the formation of intense high-altitude air currents, the so-called jet streams.

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      Jet stream distribution schematic; Windy.com

      The subtropical jet stream occurs around 30° latitude, while the polar jet stream is found between 50° and 60°. The polar jet tends to be stronger than the subtropical jet due to the greater temperature contrast between cold polar air and warmer mid-latitude air, especially during winter, when the polar jet stream reaches its greatest strength.

      The four main jet streams

      In theory, jet streams encircle the Earth in four continuous bands: two polar and two subtropical. However, their actual shape and behavior result from a complex interplay of many factors, including the distribution of land and oceans and how differently they heat up, the position of pressure systems, seasonal variations in solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, and more.

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      Jet Stream at 250 hPa (color) and Mean Sea Level Pressure (isolines), 14 June 2025; ClimateReanalyser.org

      Jet streams meander, shifting in both altitude and latitude. At times, they split or merge, form eddies, and can even disappear entirely in one region or suddenly reappear in another.

      Why care about something so high above us?

      The jet stream has a direct impact on weather at the Earth’s surface in several important ways.

      It steers the movement of pressure systems in the mid-latitudes, areas of high and low pressure, and therefore plays a key role in shaping surface weather.

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      Synoptic weather map, approximate jet stream positions (white arrows); Deutscher Wetterdienst

      When the jet stream is strong and relatively straight, weather patterns tend to shift quickly. But when it’s weak or highly meandering, the movement of pressure systems can become blocked, causing a particular weather pattern, such as prolonged rain or an extended dry spell, to persist for days.

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      Definition of a jet streak; NOAA

      A very important part of the jet stream is a jet streak, the area where winds blow the strongest. A jet streak is associated with zones of rising and sinking air. In the Northern Hemisphere, rising motion typically occurs in the right entrance and left exit regions of a jet streak, where upper-level divergence leads to compensating vertical upward motion. In the Southern Hemisphere, upward motion tends to occur in the left entrance and right exit regions.

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      Schematic of the cross circulation at the jet entrance and exit regions; UCAR/COMET

      In the Southern Hemisphere, upward motion tends to occur in the left rear and right front quadrants. These upward air motions associated with jet streaks significantly contribute to the development and intensification of low-pressure systems, and also influence the strength and organization of thunderstorm systems.

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      Storm Barra – Analysis chart (18 UTC), 7 December 2021; Met Éireann

      A well-documented example of how a jet streak and its upward motion zones can trigger explosive cyclogenesis is Storm Barra (December 2021). As the low-pressure system entered the left exit region of a strong jet streak over the North Atlantic on December 6–7, its central pressure dropped rapidly by 55 hPa in 24 hours. Barra reached peak intensity just before landfall and struck Ireland on December 7–8 with widespread damaging winds, gusting up to 135 km/h.

      How does the jet stream affect air travel?

      Airplanes often fly at the same altitudes where jet streams are typically found. When flying in the same direction as a strong jet stream, they can benefit from the fast-moving air to increase speed and save fuel. This is why flights from west to east are generally faster than those in the opposite direction.

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      Eastbound and westbound flight tracks over the North Atlantic (8–9 February 2020); Flightradar24.com

      Within North America, flight time when traveling east across the continent can be reduced by about 30 minutes if an aircraft is able to ride the jet stream.

      According to Flightradar24, a powerful jet stream helped British Airways flight BA112 cross the Atlantic from New York to London in a record time of just 4 hours and 56 minutes on February 9, 2020.

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      Record-breaking flight BA112 (9 February 2020); Flightradar24.com

      Jet stream regions often experience rapid changes in wind speed and direction, both horizontally and vertically, a phenomenon known as wind shear. Wind shear can cause turbulence. When turbulence occurs in clear air, it is difficult to detect and predict. Such turbulence can disrupt flight smoothness, cause sudden altitude drops, and pose safety risks to passengers.

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      Jet stream pattern on 25 October 2021, highlighting key factors for upper-level turbulence; Aviation Weather Center

      Track the Jet Stream

      When forecasting the weather, it’s worth monitoring the position of the jet stream, as it can signal not only beautiful sunrises and sunsets caused by the transport of fine particles, but also the potential for dangerous intensification of stormy weather.

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      Jet streams are best identified on upper-air maps at the 250 hPa level. On Windy.com, simply select the wind forecasting layer and set the altitude to the 250 hPa pressure level. If you also enable the display of geopotential height isolines, you'll see the approximate altitude (in geopotential meters) at which the selected pressure level is located above sea level.

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • Hurricane? Tropical storm? Typhoon... or even a tropical depression?

      All of these terms refer to different forms of tropical cyclones—rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms that occur in tropical and subtropical regions.

      A tropical cyclone is a low-pressure system that forms over warm ocean waters, most commonly between 5° and 25° latitude. In the Northern Hemisphere, it rotates counterclockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere, it spins clockwise.

      photo: Wikimedia Commons; desc:Global tropical cyclone tracks from 1985 to 2005; licence: cc
      Global tropical cyclone tracks from 1985 to 2005; Wikimedia Commons

      What Makes a Tropical Cyclone Unique?

      Unlike mid-latitude low-pressure systems (also known as extratropical cyclones), which typically occur between 35° and 65° latitude, a tropical cyclone is symmetrical, has a warm core, lacks frontal boundaries, is generally smaller in size, and may exhibit significantly lower central pressure. Because of the steep pressure gradient over a relatively short distance, tropical cyclones can produce extremely strong and destructive winds.

      photo: NOAA; desc:The largest and smallest recorded tropical cyclones, shown relative to the size of the United States; licence: cc
      The largest and smallest recorded tropical cyclones, shown relative to the size of the United States; NOAA

      To put it into perspective: the lowest central pressure ever recorded in a tropical cyclone was 870 hPa, and the largest observed diameter reached 2220 km (1380 miles). Both of these records were set by Supertyphoon Tip, which swept through the northwestern Pacific in October 1979.

      photo: NOAA; desc:Tropical Weather Outlook showing a hurricane, two tropical storms, and no depressions or disturbances; licence: cc
      Tropical Weather Outlook showing a hurricane, two tropical storms, and no depressions or disturbances; NOAA

      From Disturbance to Monster

      The development of a tropical cyclone begins with a tropical disturbance. At this early stage, cumulus clouds begin to form, but the wind field does not yet contain a closed cyclonic circulation.

      If conditions are favorable and the circulation becomes closed around the system’s center, a tropical cyclone forms. Its classification then depends on the strength of its sustained winds:

      If winds are below 39 mph (62 km/h), it is called a tropical depression.

      At 39–73 mph (63–118 km/h), it is classified as a tropical storm and given a name.

      Once winds exceed 74 mph (119 km/h), the system is known as a hurricane, typhoon, or severe tropical cyclone, depending on the region.

      photo: MetOffice; desc:The largest and smallest recorded tropical cyclones, shown relative to the size of the United States; licence: cc
      Tropical cyclone naming by geographic region; MetOffice

      From Category 1 to 5: How Hurricanes Are Rated

      Hurricanes are further classified by wind speed using the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale considers only the storm’s sustained wind speed and does not account for other hazardous impacts such as storm surge, flooding from heavy rainfall, or tornadoes. At Category 5, the hurricane’s sustained winds exceed 157 mph (252 km/h), and the result is often catastrophic destruction.

      A storm is referred to as a major hurricane if it reaches Category 3 or higher.

      photo: NOAA; desc: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale; licence: cc
      Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale; NOAA


      Types of Damage Caused by Hurricane Winds; NOAA/UCAR

      In the case of typhoons, the category of a super typhoon is defined when sustained winds exceed 150 mph (241 km/h).

      An Unimaginable Amount of Energy

      In just one day, an average tropical cyclone can release approximately 5.2 × 10¹⁹ joule (J) of energy through the condensation of water vapor, which is equivalent to about 14400 terawatt-hours (TWh). According to EMBER, the world’s total electricity production in 2024 was 30850 TWh. That means a single tropical storm can, in one day, generate nearly half of the world’s annual electricity output, and we're talking about an average cyclone, not an extreme case like Supertyphoon Tip.

      photo: Windy; desc: Hurricane Tracker on Windy.com; licence: cc
      Hurricane Tracker on Windy.com

      Stay Informed with Windy

      Windy and its Hurricane Tracker tool let you follow tropical cyclones from their formation through to the latest forecast updates. It displays the storm’s past track, projected path, and expected changes in intensity. Combined with satellite and radar imagery, as well as layers showing wind speed and precipitation, you’ll always have a clear overview of the risks a tropical cyclone may pose in your area.

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • The 2025 Hurricane Season Begins: What Can We Expect?

      A new hurricane season is underway. It officially begins on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific. Then, on June 1, the season also starts in the Atlantic basin (including the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico) as well as in the Central Pacific region (including the Hawaiian Islands). In all three regions, the official season runs through November 30.

      photo: NOAA; desc: Basins of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific; licence: cc-by
      Basins of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific, NOAA

      The official hurricane season marks the time of year when tropical cyclones are most likely to develop over the warm waters of the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), more than 97% of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic occurs during this designated period.

      However, tropical cyclones can also form outside of this timeframe. The earliest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded formed on March 7, 1908.

      For the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) in Honolulu, the start of the official season also signals the beginning of regularly scheduled Special Tropical Weather Outlooks, issued four times a day.

      photo: NOAA; desc: Average annual number of named storms and hurricanes; licence: cc
      Average annual number of named storms and hurricanes, NOAA

      An Average Hurricane Season

      According to NHC statistics, the highest number of named storms (meaning tropical cyclones that reach tropical storm or hurricane strength) forms in the Eastern Pacific, with an average of 15 per year. The Atlantic produces around 14 named storms annually. However, tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin poses a greater threat to the U.S. and nearby coastal regions, as those storms are more likely to make landfall.

      Tropical cyclones typically track west to northwest in tropical and subtropical latitudes (between 5° and 30° N). In the Atlantic, this movement often steers storms toward the eastern shores of North America. Meanwhile, in the Northeastern Pacific, storms usually track out to sea, staying well away from the western coast.

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      photo: NOAA; desc: Daily tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific (May–Dec); licence: cc
      Daily tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific (May–Dec), NOAA

      Tropical cyclone activity usually reaches its highest levels between August and September. In the Atlantic basin, the season typically peaks around September 10. In the Eastern Pacific, the most active period often occurs a bit earlier, generally toward the end of August.

      photo: CSU/SMN/NOAA; desc: Daily tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific (May–Dec); licence: cc-by
      Forecast number of named storms and hurricanes for the 2025 hurricane season, CSU/SMN/NOAA

      2025 Hurricane Season Forecast

      Current projections indicate that the 2025 hurricane season will be more active than usual in the Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific, while the Central Pacific is expected to see near- or below-normal activity.

      In the Atlantic, Colorado State University (CSU) forecasts 17 named storms, including 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). Although activity is expected to be above average, it may still fall slightly below the extremely active 2024 season. CSU will update its forecast on June 11, July 9, and August 6.

      In the Northeastern Pacific, Mexico’s meteorological service (SMN) predicts 16 to 20 named storms, 8 to 11 hurricanes, and 4 to 6 major hurricanes.

      In the Central Pacific, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects 1 to 4 tropical cyclones. Unlike forecasts for other regions, this outlook includes all storm types, from tropical depressions to hurricanes.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Windy's Hurricane Tracker; licence: cc
      Windy.com Hurricane Tracker, Windy.com

      Stay Safe

      Be prepared, no matter the forecast. Have a plan for you and your family in case a hurricane threatens. Find safety tips at ready.gov/hurricanes.

      Stay one step ahead with Windy.com. The Hurricane Tracker lets you follow storms from their formation all the way through to forecast updates. You can also explore radar and satellite imagery, plus detailed weather layers to help you stay informed in real-time.

      Media contact: press@windy.com

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • The Rainy Season in India Begins: The Southwest Monsoon Has Arrived

      The southwest monsoon, also known as the summer monsoon, has reached southern India, marking the official start of the rainy season. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon arrived in the state of Kerala on May 24, 2025, which is eight days earlier than the usual onset date of June 1. This is the earliest onset in the past 16 years.

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      Average date of monsoon onset in Asia; Encyclopædia Britannica

      The summer monsoon follows a period of extreme heat and drought, bringing welcome relief in the form of cooler temperatures and, more importantly, life-sustaining rain essential for agriculture. However, the intense and persistent rains also come with risks: flash floods, widespread inundation, landslides, and damage to infrastructure.

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      NASA’s visualization of precipitation and soil moisture over South and Southeast Asia on July 7, 2014; NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

      Typically, the monsoon season in India lasts from June 1 to the end of September. The monsoon usually covers the entire country by around July 8. During this period, India receives the majority of its annual rainfall.

      In the coming days, monsoon rains will advance inland. They typically reach the capital city of Delhi between late June and early July, and around the same time, moist monsoon winds begin to affect the Himalayan foothills.

      What Is a Monsoon?

      A monsoon refers to a seasonal shift in wind patterns that occurs twice a year and significantly alters weather conditions, bringing either a rainy season or a dry season to the affected region.

      The word monsoon originates from the Arabic word mausim, meaning "season" or "time of year."

      The most well-known monsoons occur in South and Southeast Asia, but monsoon-like patterns are also found in other tropical and subtropical regions, such as West Africa, Australia, and parts of North and South America, as well as East Asia (e.g., China and Japan).

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      How seasonal heating differences between land and ocean trigger monsoon circulation; NOAA/JPL

      What Causes the Monsoon?

      The monsoon arises from differences in how land and ocean absorb heat. In spring and summer, land heats up faster than the surrounding ocean waters. Warm air over the land rises, creating a low-pressure zone. As air moves from high-pressure to low-pressure areas, moist air from the ocean is drawn inland. This inflow of moisture-laden air forms the summer monsoon.

      When this moist air cools, it condenses into clouds and rain, leading to months of heavy rainfall. The heaviest precipitation typically occurs on the windward slopes of high mountains.

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      Global distribution of monthly mean and anomaly of sea-level pressure; DWD

      In contrast, during the winter months, the land cools faster than the ocean, resulting in a high-pressure system over the continent. Cold, dry air then flows from the land toward the ocean. This winter monsoon brings dry weather to most of the region. However, in some island and coastal areas, this air may pick up moisture over the ocean and cause rain or snow.

      How Much Rain Does India Receive During the Monsoon?

      The average total rainfall across India during the southwest monsoon season (based on 1971–2020 data) is approximately 870 mm. However, there are significant regional differences:

      • In northwestern and southeastern India, average rainfall for the season is less than 500 mm
      • In contrast, some parts of the southwestern coast and the northeastern states often receive over 1500 mm

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      Average rainfall totals during the monsoon season (June to September); IMD

      One of the most famous regions for extreme rainfall is Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in the Himalayan foothills of northeastern India. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mawsynram holds the world record for the highest average annual rainfall, which is 11872 mm between 1941 and 1979, with most of that falling during the southwest monsoon.

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      Average monthly temperature (°C) and precipitation (mm) in Mawsynram; meteoblue

      When it comes to rainfall extremes, Cherrapunji holds the record for the highest annual rainfall ever recorded globally, with 26461 mm falling between August 8, 1860 and July 7, 1861.

      2025 Monsoon Forecast

      The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the 2025 southwest monsoon season will bring above-average rainfall. Total rainfall for the season is expected to reach approximately 106% of the long-period average. During June to September 2025, most parts of the country are very likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall, except for some regions in Northwest and East India, as well as many areas in Northeast India, where below-normal rainfall is expected.

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      2025 Southwest Monsoon likely to be above normal (Long Range Forecast); IMD

      This forecast is based on several key climate indicators, including sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Indian and Pacific Oceans, and associated phenomena such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The IMD also takes into account the extent of snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly over Eurasia.

      • The IOD is currently neutral, but a weak negative phase may develop during the southwest monsoon, potentially leading to reduced monsoon intensity and slightly lower rainfall in parts of India.

      • The ENSO is also neutral, but atmospheric patterns resemble La Niña, a phase that typically enhances monsoon rainfall. If this trend continues, it may slightly strengthen the monsoon.

      • Eurasian snow cover over the past three months has been below normal, a condition that tends to favor stronger summer monsoons in India.

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      Illustrative image showing the Rain accumulation forecast layer on Windy.com; Windy.com

      The monsoon brings both relief and challenges

      Above-average rainfall can benefit crops and replenish water supplies, but it also carries the risk of heavy downpours and flooding.

      With Windy.com, you can stay on top of both current and upcoming rainfall:

      • Radar+ shows where it’s raining right now, how intense the rain is, and even provides a very short-term forecast with rainfall interpolation for the next 60 minutes

      • The Rain, Thunder forecast layer displays expected rainfall for up to 15 days ahead, in 3-hour intervals (1-hour intervals for Premium users)

      • With the Rain Accumulation layer, you can easily see how much rain is forecast to fall over your selected time period

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      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • Alvin and Other Storms: How Hurricanes Get Their Names

      Barbara, Ema, Lorenzo… Do those names sound familiar? It’s no surprise. The tropical storms that carried them have impacted the lives of many along the coasts of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific in the past. And this year, these names might appear again. Tropical storms in these regions don’t get random names, they’re selected from pre-determined, rotating lists.

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      Hurricane Barbara track positions, 30 June–5 July 2019; NOAA

      Why do tropical storms get names?

      Giving a storm a name is a simple and practical way to make communication clearer and avoid confusion. When several cyclones form over the ocean at the same time, having a distinct name helps meteorologists, the media, emergency responders, and people in affected areas clearly identify the specific storm being discussed.

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      GOES-16 Sees Three Hurricanes in the Atlantic 2017; NOAA

      History of Storm Naming

      Historically, tropical cyclones have been given names for a long time, but the process was unstructured. Storms were often named after the saint’s day on which they struck. For example, San Felipe (the first) and San Felipe (the second) hit Puerto Rico on September 13 in 1876 and 1928, respectively.

      Another example is Hurricane Antje, which got its name from the ship HMS Antje, whose mast was broken by the storm on August 30, 1842, in the western Atlantic.

      Gradually, efforts to bring more order emerged. Storms were identified by geographical coordinates or letters of the phonetic alphabet.

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      Synoptic map of Hurricane Galveston, named after the city it hit hardest; NOAA

      The storm-naming system as we know it today was established in the second half of the 20th century. In 1953, the United States began using female names for storms in the Atlantic. In 1978, both female and male names were introduced into the storm lists for the eastern North Pacific. A year later, in 1979, names of both genders also began to be used for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

      Are all tropical cyclones named?

      Tropical cyclones are only given a name once they reach tropical storm status. That is, when their sustained wind speed reaches at least 39 mph (63 km/h).
At that point, the storm receives a name from the current list designated for that season and region.

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      A Tropical Weather Outlook displaying one named hurricane (Teddy), one named tropical storm (Wilfred), and one numbered depression (Twenty-Two); NOAA

      Across the broad hurricane region, three separate name lists are used each year:

      • for the Atlantic (including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico),

      • for the eastern North Pacific,

      • and for the central North Pacific.

      Each of these lists is created with consideration for the language and cultural context of the region it covers.

      Who chooses the names?

      The lists of names for tropical storms in the North and Central American region are prepared by the Hurricane Committee of Regional Association IV, which operates under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

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      WMO’s Five Regional Tropical Cyclone Bodies; WMO

      When selecting new names, the committee follows several guidelines. Names must be short, easy to pronounce, and understandable across the various languages spoken in the region. They must not duplicate names used elsewhere in the world, and they cannot refer to specific individuals, among other criteria.

      Names are listed alphabetically, but certain letters (like Q) are skipped due to a lack of suitable names.

      When is a name retired?

      If a storm causes exceptional damage or results in significant loss of life, its name can be permanently retired from the list at the request of any member state. The decision is made during the committee’s meeting held after the end of the season. The retired name is then replaced with a new one of the same gender and starting with the same letter. Retiring a name serves as a mark of respect for the victims.

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      The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina (2005) led to the retirement of its name from the list; National Wildlife Federation/NOAA

      What if there are more storms than names?

      This has happened only twice in the Atlantic so far, during the exceptionally active seasons of 2005 and 2020. Once the list of names was exhausted, the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, etc.) was used according to established rules.

      However, it became clear that some Greek names were difficult to pronounce or too similar to one another. Moreover, there was no official way to retire a Greek name, even when the storm it represented was especially destructive.

      As a result, the Hurricane Committee decided to discontinue the use of the Greek alphabet altogether and replace it with a standard supplemental list of names. This allowed two very powerful hurricanes from 2020, Eta and Iota, to be retired.

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      Visualization of tropical cyclone activity during the 2020 hurricane season; NASA

      Since 2021, two backup lists have existed — one for the Atlantic and one for the eastern North Pacific. These lists are only used if the main list is exhausted.

      In the eastern Pacific, however, the main list has never been exhausted. It contains more names than the Atlantic list and has always been sufficient, even in highly active seasons.

      Names for Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Atlantic

      There are six main name lists and one supplemental list used for the Atlantic basin. Each main list is assigned to a specific year and contains 21 names arranged in alphabetical order.

      In 2025, the same list is being used as in 2019, 2013, 2007, 2001, and earlier. This means the first named storm of the season will be Andrea, followed by Barry, Chantal, and so on.

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      Hurricane Dorian moving along the Southeast U.S. coast on September 5, 2019 (satellite and radar imagery); NOAA

      However, one change has been made since 2019: the name Dorian has been replaced with Dexter. Why? In 2019, Dorian reached Category 5 strength and devastated Grand Bahama and Great Abaco, later also impacting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After the season, the name was retired and replaced due to the storm’s severe impact.

      According to the latest forecast from Colorado State University (CSU), 17 named storms are expected this year. If that prediction holds true, the last named storm of the season will be Rebekah.

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      Tropical Storm Names 2025: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Atlantic; WMO

      Names for the Eastern North Pacific

      In the eastern North Pacific, the naming of tropical storms works similarly to the Atlantic region.
There are also six main name lists and one supplemental list. Each list contains 24 names in alphabetical order, and storms are named sequentially, one after another, following the current list.

      In 2025, the first tropical storm is named Alvin, followed by Barbara and the next names in alphabetical order, just as it was in 2019. No names were retired after the 2019 season, so the list remains unchanged.

      According to the forecast by Mexico ’s national meteorological service (Servicio Meteorologico Nacional, SMN), up to 20 named storms could form this season. If that prediction comes true, the last named storm will be Velma.

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      Tropical Storm Names 2025: the Eastern North Pacific; WMO

      Names for the Central North Pacific

      The naming system in the Central Pacific differs from the two previous regions. There are four alphabetical name lists used in rotation, regardless of the calendar year. A new list is only used once all the names from the previous one have been exhausted.

      In the 2024 season, the last named tropical storm was Hone. Therefore, in 2025, the naming will continue with the next name on the list, Iona.

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      Stay Ready, Stay Informed

      The 2025 hurricane season is forecast to be above average. Timely information about a storm can give you a crucial head start, and a chance to protect yourself and those around you.

      Follow the development of tropical cyclones through satellite and radar imagery on Windy.com. The Hurricane Tracker tool also lets you compare different forecasts of the storm’s path and intensity.

      alt text

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • Storm Ines Brings Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms to the Central Mediterranean

      Residents and travelers across the central Mediterranean region should prepare for dangerous weather conditions as low-pressure system Ines moves across the area. The center of the system is gradually shifting from northwestern Africa toward the Ionian Sea and is expected to continue northeastward into Eastern Europe.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Track of low-pressure system Ines (ICON EU); licence: cc
      Track of low-pressure system Ines (ICON EU), windy.com

      What to Expect

      The storm is bringing intense rainfall and strong thunderstorms. Rainfall totals may reach around 60 mm, with some areas, such as Sicily, Calabria, Apulia, and northwestern Greece, potentially seeing over 100 mm. This significantly increases the risk of flash flooding. Thunderstorms may also bring brief periods of strong wind gusts.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Total precipitation until Sunday 18th, 00 UTC (ICON EU); licence: cc
      Total precipitation until Sunday 18th, 00 UTC (ICON EU), Windy.com

      On Wednesday, Ines affected northwestern Africa. Northern Algeria was hit by severe thunderstorms that, according to the European Severe Weather Database, produced hailstones up to 2.5 cm in diameter.

      Progression of Ines

      Stormy weather is forecast to affect Tunisia, Sicily, and southern Italy on Thursday, bringing intense rain, strong winds, hail, and a high risk of flash flooding. An orange alert is in effect for Sicily and parts of southern Italy.

      The center of the low-pressure system will move over the Ionian Sea on Friday and continue toward Greece, with severe weather expected to impact the southwestern Balkans.

      As the weekend progresses, the system is expected to gradually weaken while shifting northeast. The heaviest rainfall will move from northeastern Greece to eastern Bulgaria. Meanwhile, weather conditions in the central Mediterranean should steadily improve.

      Stay Weather-Ready

      Stay updated by following weather warnings from local meteorological services (available via MeteoAlarm or Windy.com – Weather Warnings layer). For a detailed forecast in your area, including expected rainfall and wind gusts, check the meteogram (e.g., Windy.com – meteogram for Catanzaro).

      Stay tuned for further updates as this dynamic weather system progresses across the region.

      Media contact: press@windy.com

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • La tempesta Ines porterà forti piogge e temporali nel Mediterraneo centrale

      I residenti e i viaggiatori in tutto il Mediterraneo centrale dovranno prepararsi a condizioni meteorologiche avverse, poiché nei prossimi giorni è previsto l'arrivo di un potente sistema di bassa pressione, denominato Ines, che porterà forti piogge, temporali e venti violenti.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Totale delle precipitazioni fino a domenica 18, ore 00 UTC (ICON EU); licence: cc
      Totale delle precipitazioni fino a domenica 18, ore 00 UTC (ICON EU), Windy.com

      Cosa ci si aspetta

      Si prevede che il totale delle precipitazioni raggiungerà circa 80 mm, con oltre 130 mm di pioggia possibili in aree come l'Algeria settentrionale, la Sicilia, la Calabria e la Puglia. Ciò aumenterà il rischio di alluvioni improvvise e frane. Saranno inoltre probabili raffiche di vento fino a 70 km/h, con raffiche che portanno essere più forti durante i temporali.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Traiettoria del sistema di bassa pressione Ines (ICON EU); licence: cc
      Traiettoria del sistema di bassa pressione Ines (ICON EU), Windy.com

      Sviluppo della tempesta

      Il sistema si sta muovendo verso nord-est dall'Africa nord-occidentale e continua a intensificarsi. Mercoledì, forti temporali hanno colpito l'Algeria settentrionale, con piogge occasionali che hanno raggiunto anche le Isole Baleari e la Sardegna meridionale.

      Giovedì le condizioni temporalesche si estenderanno alla Tunisia, alla Sicilia e all'Italia meridionale, portando piogge intense, forti raffiche di vento e grandine, con il rischio di inondazioni improvvise.

      Entro venerdì, il centro della bassa pressione si sposterà sul Mar Ionio e continuerà a muoversi verso la Grecia, portando un forte maltempo nei Balcani sud-occidentali.

      Sabato, si prevede un graduale indebolimento del sistema verso nord-est. Tuttavia, l'Albania e la Grecia settentrionale potrebbero ancora registrare oltre 100 mm di pioggia in alcune zone. Nel frattempo, si prevede un miglioramento delle condizioni meteorologiche in Sicilia e nell'Italia meridionale.

      photo: Windy.com; desc: Meteogramma per Sciacca (ECMWF); licence: cc
      Meteogramma per Sciacca, windy.com

      Tenetevi aggiornati sulle condizioni meteorologiche

      Rimanete aggiornati seguendo gli avvisi meteo dei servizi meteorologici locali (disponibili tramite MeteoAlarm o Windy.com – layer Avvisi meteo).

      Per le previsioni dettagliate nella vostra zona, comprese le precipitazioni previste e le raffiche di vento, consultate il meteogramma (ad esempio, Windy.com - meteogramma per Sciacca).

      Restate sintonizzati per ulteriori aggiornamenti mentre questo sistema meteorologico dinamico si sposta.

      Contatto per i media: press@windy.com

      posted in Announcements article
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Smoke models are needed

      @robobo1 Hi, I hope you'll be pleased to hear that Windy.com has decided to add smoke forecasting to the app. Thank you very much for your suggestion. It’s thanks to posts like yours that we started considering the inclusion of this feature. We truly appreciate your help in shaping an app that’s as useful as possible for you. Warm regards, Jari

      posted in Your Feedback and Suggestions
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: need to delete account

      @Jānis-Zeimuls Hi, please send the details of your older account (ideally the email address you used) along with proof of the subscription payment to support@windy.com. Thank you! Have a nice day! Jari

      posted in Windy Account
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Live wave data

      @piotrbialek Hi, unfortunately, more frequent updates of wave height are not possible, as new calculations are simply not available more often.
      Warm regards, Jari

      posted in Windy API v4
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová

    Latest posts made by Jari Sochorová

    • RE: 1 hour selection does not stay selected when I come to the app / webpage again

      @marlyd Hi, you can adjust this in the settings to make it remember. Warm regards, Jari Snímek obrazovky 2025-06-20 v 15.50.43.png

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: ICAO code some airports not recognized anymore

      @bickyfly It should be working now! ✈️

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Переименование времён года.

      Hi @Renics-Nykoros, please provide more information (send a screenshot, let us know where the incorrect date is displayed, etc.). Thanks, Jari

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: ICAO code some airports not recognized anymore

      Hi, @bickyfly, thanks for the information! I’ll try to find out why searching for some airports by ICAO code isn’t possible. Warm regards! Jari

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Question about cloud forecast in profile/route planning view

      Hi @davidlowe24, in the VFR view, the visual cloud display ends at FL100, which means that clouds above this level are not visible in this mode. Cloud cover above FL100 can be viewed, for example, in the meteogram for a specific location (I know, not ideal for route planning). I’ll forward your question to the Windy team.
      Warm regards, Jari

      posted in Windy Premium
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: no data in china

      Hi @翊航-桂 , thank you for letting us know. Jari

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: time line is wrong

      Hi @Eric-He, the time shown on the meteogram timeline doesn’t reflect the current time, but rather the time of the latest METAR report. If the METAR isn’t updated, a mismatch may occur between the current time and the time of the last report. Thanks for letting us know. Have a nice day, Jari

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: “You have changed the Windy Icon”

      Hi @jdargg, you'll get the option, just hang in there a little longer. Thanks for the suggestions! Jari

      posted in Your Feedback and Suggestions
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Account Avatar

      Hi @jpjedda, would you mind refreshing Windy, trying the upload again, and letting me know how it goes? Thanks a lot! Jari

      posted in Bug Reports
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová
    • RE: Airports color dots

      Hi @LucasGuinet, thanks for the suggestion. I’ve forwarded it to my colleagues, and we’ll see what can be done. Thanks for using Windy, and for helping us improve it. Warm regards, Jari

      posted in General Discussion
      Jari SochorováJ
      Jari Sochorová