The weather forecast screen is our second option (Nº 1) in the screen bar located on the left side of the platform.
The options for weather forecast variables (Nº 2) are presented in Figure 3.1A below.
Figure 3.1A – Weather Forecast Variable Options.
Among the available variables on the weather forecast screen, the Rainfall and ETo forecast will always be the first screen to load by default. The Rainfall and ETo forecast screen provides the most information in a single location. This screen displays data on rainfall, humidity, ETo, probability of rain, model convergence, rainSpot, and rainfall distribution within a 20 km radius.
In Figure 3.1B below, we show how the information is presented on the Rainfall and ETo forecast screen.
Figure 3.1B – Rainfall, Humidity, and ETo Forecast.
In the first section of the Rainfall and ETo forecast, data on rainfall, air humidity, and evapotranspiration are presented, as shown in Figure 3.1C below.
Figure 3.1C – Rainfall, Air Humidity, and ETo Graphs.
Rainfall
Daily accumulated rainfall forecasts are displayed as blue bars, as shown in Figure 3.1D below, highlighted by a red rectangle.
Figure 3.1D – Accumulated Rainfall Forecast Bar.
Within the accumulated rainfall bar, there are “T” and “Inverted T” bars, which are illustrated below in Figure 3.1E on the rainfall forecast graph.
Figure 3.1E – “T” and “Inverted T” Bars.
These “T”-shaped bars represent potential fluctuations in forecasted rainfall values. The “T” bar represents a possible increase, while the “Inverted T” bar indicates a possible decrease in the forecasted rainfall amount.
Evapotranspiration
The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is represented on the graph below by a green line (Nº 1), which shows the daily forecasted evapotranspiration value in millimeters (mm) according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) standards, as shown in Figure 3.1F below.
Figure 3.1F – Evapotranspiration Accumulation Representation.
ETo values are calculated based on meteorological variables (radiation, temperature, humidity, wind speed) for a well-irrigated surface fully covered by crops. The term evapotranspiration describes the water loss from a vegetated surface through the combined processes of plant transpiration and surface evaporation.
To check the daily accumulated evapotranspiration forecast value, simply compare the position of the line representing evapotranspiration (Nº 1) with the value on the left side of the graph (Nº 2).
Air Humidity
Air humidity, in simple terms, is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere relative to the maximum amount that could exist at the observed temperature. Air humidity information is crucial for many field activities, such as applying agricultural chemicals and harvesting. Air humidity is illustrated by a blue line on the graph (No. 1) in Figure 3.1G below. Air humidity will fluctuate depending on the expected value for each day.
Figure 3.1G – Air Humidity Forecast Representation.
To determine the air humidity forecast values, compare the forecast line with the information on the right side of the graph (No. 2).
Rain Probability (%)
Probability refers to the chance of an event occurring. For the rainfall variable, probabilities greater than 70% should be considered, while values below 70% can be disregarded due to the low likelihood of the event occurring.
Rain probability (as well as other parameters) is calculated from a set of model simulations. The probability is the frequency with which precipitation occurs in these different weather forecast calculations. This calculation is generally made for an area (grid cell). See Figure 3.1H below for how rain probability is presented.
Figure 3.1H – Rain Probability.
The rain probability is located just below the accumulated rainfall forecast for their respective days, as illustrated in Figure 3.1H above.
Meteorological Model Convergence
Convergence refers to the difference between various maximum and minimum results of each of the 11 models considered for making the local weather forecast. It approximates how much the different model simulations “agree.” See Figure 3.1I below for how model convergence is presented in the rainfall forecast.
Figure 3.1I – Meteorological Model Convergence.
Below is a simplified way to interpret meteorological model convergence:
- High convergence: The event is more likely to occur.
- Low convergence: Few chances of the event occurring.
rainSPOT® and Rainfall Distribution (mm) – 20km Radius
The rainSpot rainfall graph shows precipitation in the vicinity of the selected location for the preceding time interval (e.g., hour). If rainSpot shows 3-hour intervals (e.g., 08:00, 11:00, 14:00), the rainSpot for 11:00 shows precipitation from 08:00 to 11:00. In Figure 3.1J, we can see how the rainSpot graph is presented in the Rainfall and ETo forecast.
Figure 3.1J – rainSpot Graph.
rainSpot functions like rainNOW, with an aggregation of grid cells so that the selected location is at the center. An example of grid aggregation can be seen in Figure 3.1K below.
Figure 3.1K – rainSpot.
In the first graph (Nº 1) above, we have an example of how the grids are organized within rainSpot. The grids are the small rectangles within the larger rectangle. The rectangles shaded only in gray (Nº 2) represent areas where no rainfall is expected on the specified date. The rectangles with small green and blue sections within them indicate areas where rain is likely to occur (Nº 3).
Each rainSpot graph has a definition of 20km by 20km, as illustrated in Figure 3.1K (Nº 4) above.
In Figure 3.1L below, we can see the definition of each rainSpot graph, where each grid within the graph measures 2.86km by 2.86km. The same image also provides the color legend for the rainfall accumulation forecasts in each grid.
Figure 3.1L – Dimensions and Color Legend of rainSpot Grids.
The location is not always in the center of the grid cell, meaning you may be a few meters or kilometers away from the center of the location, depending on the model resolution. Thus, you are always at or near the center, regardless of the selected location, even in mountains or at sea. The meteoblue system, with global coverage, allows for regional views anywhere in the world.
If the user wishes to view more detailed forecast data, they should click the “View Hourly” button at the bottom of the page, as illustrated in Figure 3.1M below.
Figure 3.1M – Hourly Rainfall and ETo Forecast Button.
When the user clicks the “View Hourly” button, a new window with detailed forecast data will open, as illustrated in Figure 3.1N below.
Figure 3.1N – Hourly Forecast Screen.
When the hourly forecast screen opens, it will display rainfall, air humidity, and ETo forecasts. At the top of the screen (Nº1), the user can select a date within the next 14 days to view a more detailed forecast. At the bottom of the screen (Nº2), the times of the forecasts for the next 14 days will be displayed.