LuckGrib is a full-featured, easy-to-use, fast GRIB reader, viewer, and downloader. LuckGrib uses beautiful and fast graphics to give you insight and understanding into how the weather and ocean conditions will change through a forecast as well as showing you the details of what happens at any location. Weather forecast data, packaged as GRIB files, can be downloaded directly from the high performance LuckGrib server cluster. Downloads from the server cluster are fast and free - you can easily explore the weather worldwide using some of the best weather models available.
Viewers for GRIB files. WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) developed GRIB code as a means to store and exchange computer output in a compressed form. This was so that the data could then be displayed on any chart whatever the scale or projection. Third parties providing GRIB data to sailors have developed many viewers. OpenCPN has a grib weather file viewer plugin, aimed at being useful while under way. The grib plugin is an Internal Plugin, always distributed with OpenCPN, no separate download is required.
For instructions, see Install an older version of Adobe Reader on Mac OS. Double-click the.dmg file. (If you don't see the Safari Downloads window, click Finder (User Name) Downloads.) Double-click Install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to start the installation. Mac OS X version (Intel) Ready to use complete build: zyGribmac-8.0.1.dmg (26.9 Mo) With high resolution maps: zyGribmacwithmaps2-8.0.1.dmg (129.8 Mo) Mac version (PPC) zyGrib must be compiled for your computer. Install the Apple development tools and the libraries needed by zyGrib (ask the forum for more precise instructions).
Weather models are available which contain surface conditions, wave and swell state, ocean currents as well as higher altitude information, such as that found at the 850mb, 500mb and 250mb levels. Some of the models available are: GFS, CMC, WW3, HRRR, RAP, NAM, NDFD, Icon, GDPS, RTOFS.
Features
- Download your data directly from the high performance LuckGrib server cluster
- Download weather and ocean data from models created by NOAA, Environment Canada, Météo-France and Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) in Germany
- Both global and regional models are available
- High resolution GRIB models are supported. The appropriate view resolution is chosen automatically and dynamically as you zoom and pan
- Elegant and beautiful interface
- Smooth transitions and animation show how the weather or ocean conditions will evolve through the forecast
- Sophisticated math - smooth and accurate interpolation
- Instantly update graphical and textual information as you move your cursor around the GRIB files area
- Support for sailors when planning a passage, during departure planning, as well as while on passage, through the points, routes and vessels features
- Support for GRIB versions 1 and 2 allows you to import the widest range of information
- Import GRIB files from outside sources, such as PredictWind, Ocens and Saildocs, among many others
- Access to hundreds of GRIB parameters (wind, rain, pressure, temperature, CAPE, CIN, humidity, wave information, ocean current data, vorticity, simulated radar, and many more.)
- An internet connection is not required to view imported files - LuckGrib acts as a fully functional viewer when you are away from the internet
Note: While the software is classified as free, it offers in-App Purchases.
A Grib reader & visualizer is only as good at the Gribs it can read. Likewise Grib files from any particular source are only as good as the package that reads and visualizes them. This is the essence of the drive behind this site - to fuel the symbiosis of providing the best free and open Grib reader (namely XyGrib) together with the best free and open data in Grib form both from the OpenGribs'-XyGrib own built-in Grib server and also from our sister site OpenSkiron.org
There are numerous new sources of Grib data that have recently become available as a result of new legislation in the EU regarding access to all data that governmental bodies produce. Most of this data is not in easily usable form and requires a go-between to cut, roll and wrap the data in usable form for the average user. This is what we will be doing here.
There are two methods of obtaining Grib files. XyGrib's built-in Grib server interface can be used to download custom Gribs on the demand by the user or external pre-cut and packaged Grib files from other sources can be loaded for use.
Custom Gribs created on demand - now from OpenGribs' new grib server
With XyGrib version 1.1.0 our own grib server entered service and with version 1.2.0 additional regional models have been added. The concept is similar to previous versions - select your desired area, length of forecast and other meta parameters. Finally choose the weather parameters that you wish to be included.
The new major addition to the above is that you now can choose between 9 Atmospheric models and 3 Wave models while defining your download. These are described below. In addition the generated Grib files are Grib2 files that include internal packing hence the bz2 compression is not used.
PLEASE do not use the XyGrib server for bulk downloads as this will overload our small server and affect the level of service for all users. We strongly recommend to use the original grib servers at NOAA, DWD and Meteo France for the purpose of bulk downloads.
Global Atmospheric models
- GFS - NOAA-GFS model - Resolutions: 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 deg - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-10
- ICON - DWD-ICON-GLOBAL model - Resolution: 0.25 deg - Cycles: 00, 12 UTC - Days: 1-7.5
- Arpege - MeteoFrance-Arpege model - Resolution: 0.5 deg - Cycles: 00, 12 UTC - Days: 1-4
- ECMWF (Limited Free Version) - Resolution: 0.5 deg - Cycles: 00, 12 UTC - Days: 1-10, Step: 24hr
Global Wave Models
- WW3 - NOAA-WW3 model (global without Mediterranean Sea) - Resolution: 0.5 deg - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-8
- GWAM - DWD-WAM model (global including Mediterranean Sea) - Resolution: 0.25 deg - Cycles: 00, 12 UTC - Days: 1-8
Grib Reader For Mac Osx
Wide Area Regional Atmospheric Models
- NAM-CONUS - NOAA-NAM model for Continental US - Resolution: 0.11 deg (12 km) - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-4 - Step: 1hr
- NAM-CACBN- NOAA-NAM model for Central America & Carribbean - Resolution: 0.11 deg (12 km) - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-4 - Step: 1hr
- NAM-PACIFIC - NOAA-NAM model for NE Pacific (Hawaii) - Resolution: 0.11 deg (12 km) - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-4 - Step: 1hr
- ICON-EU - DWD-ICON-EU Nest model - Resolution: 0.05 deg - Cycles: 00, 06, 12 UTC - Days: 1-5 - Step: 1hr
- Arpege-EU - MeteoFrance-Arpege EU Nest model - Resolution: 0.1 deg - Cycles: 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days: 1-3 - Step: 1hr
- Arome (centered onFrance and surrounded areas - MeteoFrance - Resolution : 0.025° - Cycles : 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC - Days : 1-2 - Step : 1hr
Grib Viewer Free
Wide Area Regional Wave Models
- EWAM - DWD-WAM model (European waters and Mediterranean Sea) - Resolution 0.05 x 0.05 deg - Cycles: 00, 12 UTC - days 1-4
In this case the provider decides on the area coverage, the number of forecast time steps and on which mix of variables will be included in the files. The files are posted on-line and the user downloads the files that suit his needs and then opens them in the Grib reader.
With a particular audience in mind this approach works quite well.
Sources of free & open pre-cut Gribs that are compatible with XyGrib
- openWRF Gribs at 12km and 4km resolutions produced by openSkiron are available on our sister site openSkiron.org
- openSkiron Gribs at 11km resolution produced by the University of Athens are available on openSkiron.org
- ICON EU NEST Gribs at 7km resolution produced by the German DWD are available on openSkiron.org
- COSMO-DE Gribs ast 2.2km resolution produced by the German DWD are also available on openSkiron.org
- Meteo Consult Gribs at 4km resolution (wind only), produced by Meteo Consult are available on Meteo Consult
- Arpege Global at 0.5° and Europe at 0.1° resolutions produced by Meteo France in Grib 2 format are available at Meteo France
- Arome regional model at 0.025° & 0.01° resolutions produced by Meteo France in Grib 2 format are available at Meteo France and/or at Weather4D
- Harmonie-Arome-Cy40 regional model at 0.05° resolution produced by Netherlands KNMI in Grib 2 format are available at Euros Zeilen
- Hirlam regional model at 5km resolution produced by Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK are available at om.yr.no
- The German Hydrographic Office produces GRIB files for the currents in the N Sea, Elbe and Baltic at this link
- Surface currents produce by Iberia-Biscay-Ireland Monitoring and Forecasting Centre (IBI-MFC) and available on MyOcean and on openSkiron
- Expedition publishes a set of WRF GRIB files for locations with freely available high resolution data on expeditionmarine.com
- Belgium Royal Meteorological Institute RMI publishes Alaro model 4km Grib files (single file for each variable) on opendata.meteo.be
Reanalysis data (historic gribs)
Grib Files Free
- Documentation about ECMWF ERA5 database
- ECMWF ERA5 data at 0.25 degrees is available with hourly data on single levels cds.climate.copernicus.eu
- ECMWF ERA5 altitude data is available with hourly data on pressure levels cds.climate.copernicus.eu
- ECMWF ERA5 land hourly data on cds.climate.copernicus.eu
Grib Viewer Mac Free
This list is by no means complete and it will be expanded as new sources are checked (last update : 05/05/2020)