What regional atmospheric models are available for Europe?
Arpege Europe 0.1° (11 km) Regional model from Météo-France covering Europe and extending down to the Canary Islands. Resolution: 11 km Forecasts up to 4 days 👉 Ideal for planning navigation in the Channel, Atlantic, or Mediterranean over a few days, as it accurately captures large-scale European weather systems.
Arome 0.025° (3 km) Very high-resolution model from Météo-France. Resolution: 3 km Forecasts up to 48 h 👉 Perfect for coastal navigation in France: it captures local effects such as sea breezes, summer storms, and terrain-induced winds.
Arome HD 0.01° (1 km) Even higher-resolution version of Météo-France’s Arome model. Resolution: 1 km Forecasts over 24 h 👉 Very useful for racing or coastal sailing: it helps anticipate micro wind shifts near capes, bays, or coastal terrain. Be aware, it can sometimes be a bit “reactive.”
ICON Europe 0.07° (8 km) Regional model from the DWD (German Meteorological Service). Resolution: 8 km Forecasts up to 5 days 👉 Suitable for navigation in the English Channel, North Sea, Western Mediterranean, and nearby Atlantic. A good complement to French models and often cited as the best in the Mediterranean.
ICON D2 0.02° (2 km) Very high-resolution version of the ICON model, centered on Germany and neighboring countries. Resolution: 2 km Forecasts up to 48 h 👉 Useful for the North Sea and Baltic Sea, where local effects (coastal winds, thunderstorms) are significant.
UKV 0.05° (6 km) Regional model from the UK Met Office, covering the United Kingdom and nearby areas. Resolution: 6 km Forecasts up to 48 h 👉 Ideal for sailing around the British Isles, in the Channel, and in the Celtic Sea, where local precision is essential.