The global forecast included with Scope Nights is one of the best medium-range forecasts available and originates from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). This enables Scope Nights to be used anywhere in the world, and is ideal as a general guide and for planning further ahead. But those who require more detailed forecasts may want to upgrade to a national forecast. As Scope Nights is developed more national astronomy weather upgrades for different countries will be added where government weather data is available. When Scope Nights is using a global forest a globe icon will appear in the forecast header, otherwise it will show the flag of the national forecast’s country of origin.

The parameters shown in the national forecasts are highlighted below. Some of these parameters will also be visible in the global forecast, but the national weather forecasts will usually provide more accurate values, and hence offer more refined stargazing forecasts.

Please note: The colour of the detail forecast values may change if a threshold setting is reached. This colour coding of the values quickly shows which weather conditions are poor, fair or good. A weighted algorithm uses all of the parameters to calculate the stargazing rating for each period. So any change in parameter ratings will also affect the stargazing rating for the period. This can be summarised as follows:

[box type=’notice’] [list type=’1′ color=’yellow’] If a forecast parameter is very close to it’s threshold setting, the parameter colour will change to amber. This will limit the stargazing rating to fair.
[/list] [/box] [box type=’error’] [list type=’1′ color=’red’] If a forecast parameter has reached or exceeded it’s threshold setting, the parameter text colour will change to red. This will limit the stargazing rating to poor.
[/list] [/box]

If you have specific weather requirements for astronomical observing, you can adjust the stargazing rating thresholds for different weather conditions using the Astronomer’s Weather Pack.

 

United States Astronomy Weather

This upgrade features local 3-hourly astronomy weather reports updated every hour using accurate forecast data direct from NOAA US National Weather Service. This means you receive more accurate astronomy forecasts and stargazing ratings. When Scope Nights is using NOAA data the US flag will appear in the forecast header. If US data is unavailable it will show the global forecast.

The benefits of upgrading to United States Astronomy Weather are as follows:

• Refined stargazing ratings
• Local stargazing forecasts compiled using data from 122 weather forecast offices throughout the United States
• Forecasts available in 3 hourly intervals up to 7 nights
• Forecasts updated every hour
• Refined forecasts for weather type, cloud cover, wind direction, wind speed, wind gusts, precipitation probability and relative humidity
• Gust sensitivity switch (when using the Astronomer’s Weather Pack)

 

United Kingdom Astronomy Weather

This upgrade features local 3-hourly astronomy weather reports updated every hour using accurate forecast data direct from the UK Meteorological Office. This means you receive more accurate astronomy forecasts and stargazing ratings. When Scope Nights is using Met Office data the UK flag will appear in the forecast header. If UK weather data is unavailable it will show the global forecast.

The benefits of upgrading to United Kingdom Astronomy Weather are as follows:

• Refined stargazing ratings
• Site specific stargazing forecasts for over 5,000 sites in the United Kingdom
• Forecasts available in 3 hourly intervals up to 5 nights
• Forecasts updated every hour
• Refined forecasts for weather type, cloud cover, wind direction, wind speed, wind gusts, precipitation probability and relative humidity
• Gust sensitivity switch (when using the Astronomer’s Weather Pack)

 

At the time of writing, Scope Nights includes national astronomy weather upgrades for the US and UK, but I would like to add more countries where data is available, enabling more amateur astronomers around the world to have better access to local astronomy weather forecasts.

Clear skies!
Martin

If you find Scope Nights useful and would like to see continued support and development, please leave a good rating on the app store.