Reading the forecast
The detailed 48 hour forecast along with the map overlays offer powerful tools in predicting the weather for a given location. With a bit of practice you'll be able to check the weather with a quick glance.
Unlike other services, Astrospheric can create a forecast for any location covered by the CMCs RDPS model. Make sure you know how to change your forecast location!
The detailed forecast is broken into sky and ground variables, along with ISS and Kp index data. The darker the blue the sky data, the better the conditions.
Tapping any hour in the forecast will update the mini-cloud map and legend to show more details for that hour.
On a computer you can move through the hours with your keyboards arrow keys.
Tapping on an ISS flyover icon will bring up a detailed flyover path.
Note: If you are using Astrospheric Professional, your cloud forecast will include ensemble cloud data
Tapping on any variable in the legend will bring up a detailed explanation of the variable. Below is a short explanation of each.
Selected hour legend
- Clouds : Percent of sky obscured by cloud
- Transparency : Faintness of sky object that can be resolved with unaided eye
- Seeing : Measure of atmospheric turbulence
- Sun & Moon : Lines show the elevation of the sun (yellow) and moon (white) based on time. When the line crosses the horizon, the rise or set time will be detailed. The dotted line below the horizon represents -18 degrees. When the sun is below this line it is considered night.
- Wind : Wind speed and direction. The arrow points in the direction the wind is predicted to flow.
- Temperature & Dew Point : Unmodified temperature (no head index or wind chill) and dew point help determine the amount of dew protection needed. If the dew point values turn orange, then there is a chance of fog at the surface.
