Q: What is a GRIB file?

A GRIB file (for GRIdded Binary ) is a standard file format used by meteorological services to distribute numerical weather forecasts. It contains the raw data generated by weather models (wind, pressure, rain, waves, currents, etc.) organized on a grid covering a geographic area. Why use this format? It is compact : GRIB files are compressed and therefore quick to download, even with limited internet connections. It is standardized : most navigation and weather applications can read GRIB files. There are two formats — grib1 and grib2. NavimetriX uses the newer grib2 format. It is flexible : you can choose the area, resolution, and parameters (wind, waves, currents, etc.) you wish to download. What does a GRIB file contain? Depending on the selected model, a GRIB file may include: Wind (direction, speed, gusts) Atmospheric pressure Temperature, humidity, precipitation Sea state (swell, waves) Marine, oceanic, and tidal currents What is it used for in navigation? A GRIB file allows you to visualize the evolution of the weather over a given area directly within your navigation software or weather app.

Q: What is a GRIB file?

A GRIB file (for GRIdded Binary ) is a standard file format used by meteorological services to distribute numerical weather forecasts. It contains the raw data generated by weather models (wind, pressure, rain, waves, currents, etc.) organized on a grid covering a geographic area. Why use this format? It is compact : GRIB files are compressed and therefore quick to download, even with limited internet connections. It is standardized : most navigation and weather applications can read GRIB files. There are two formats — grib1 and grib2. NavimetriX uses the newer grib2 format. It is flexible : you can choose the area, resolution, and parameters (wind, waves, currents, etc.) you wish to download. What does a GRIB file contain? Depending on the selected model, a GRIB file may include: Wind (direction, speed, gusts) Atmospheric pressure Temperature, humidity, precipitation Sea state (swell, waves) Marine, oceanic, and tidal currents What is it used for in navigation? A GRIB file allows you to visualize the evolution of the weather over a given area directly within your navigation software or weather app.

Question 1

What is a GRIB file?

Henri · Accepted Answer

A GRIB file (for GRIdded Binary) is a standard file format used by meteorological services to distribute numerical weather forecasts.

It contains the raw data generated by weather models (wind, pressure, rain, waves, currents, etc.) organized on a grid covering a geographic area.

Why use this format?

It is compact: GRIB files are compressed and therefore quick to download, even with limited internet connections.
It is standardized: most navigation and weather applications can read GRIB files. There are two formats — grib1 and grib2. NavimetriX uses the newer grib2 format.
It is flexible: you can choose the area, resolution, and parameters (wind, waves, currents, etc.) you wish to download.

What does a GRIB file contain?

Depending on the selected model, a GRIB file may include:

Wind (direction, speed, gusts)
Atmospheric pressure
Temperature, humidity, precipitation
Sea state (swell, waves)
Marine, oceanic, and tidal currents

What is it used for in navigation?

A GRIB file allows you to visualize the evolution of the weather over a given area directly within your navigation software or weather app.

Question 2

What is a GRIB file?

Henri · Accepted Answer

A GRIB file (for GRIdded Binary) is a standard file format used by meteorological services to distribute numerical weather forecasts.

It contains the raw data generated by weather models (wind, pressure, rain, waves, currents, etc.) organized on a grid covering a geographic area.

Why use this format?

It is compact: GRIB files are compressed and therefore quick to download, even with limited internet connections.
It is standardized: most navigation and weather applications can read GRIB files. There are two formats — grib1 and grib2. NavimetriX uses the newer grib2 format.
It is flexible: you can choose the area, resolution, and parameters (wind, waves, currents, etc.) you wish to download.

What does a GRIB file contain?

Depending on the selected model, a GRIB file may include:

Wind (direction, speed, gusts)
Atmospheric pressure
Temperature, humidity, precipitation
Sea state (swell, waves)
Marine, oceanic, and tidal currents

What is it used for in navigation?

A GRIB file allows you to visualize the evolution of the weather over a given area directly within your navigation software or weather app.

Question 3

Can you describe the user interface?

Henri · Accepted Answer

The NavimetriX interface has been designed to be clear, intuitive, and quick to use, whether on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here is a complete description, section by section:

- Top right

- ⚙ Settings icon: opens the settings panel
- 👤Account icon: allows you to log in to your NavimetriX account, create an account, or reset your password.

- ? Help icon : Open the application's website, in the Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs tab.

- Top left

☰ Hamburger menu: provides access to the application's main lists:

- GRIB files

- Points of Interest (POI)

- Routes

- Routings

- AIS targets

- Bottom left

- Map scale

- GRIB file loaded, for example :
  GFS 0.25° 20251007 00Z +384
  - - GFS model
  - - 0.25° grid, approximately 26 km
  - - published by NOAA on October 7, 2025
  - - Calculated at midnight UTC, we refer to the 0-hour run or 00Z.
  - - containing 384 hours from the 00Z run. If you see +36, this indicates that the first 36 hours of this GRIB file are from the 00Z run, while the following hours are from the previous run, which was the 18Z run on October 6. This gives you access to the latest data from the run without having to wait for the entire run to be calculated. For the GFS, this saves about 3 hours.

- Below: the Timeline

- Displays all hours covered by the currently loaded GRIB file.

- Each white dot on the time bar corresponds to a time step in the GRIB file.

- The time displayed just above indicates the current position of the Timeline.

- If you click/tap on this time, the Timeline will jump to “now” and the seconds will scroll by (letting you know that you are at the current time).

- You can:
  - - Slide the Timeline with your finger or mouse,
  - - Click/tap on a location to move directly to a specific time.

- The data in the GRIB file displayed is then that for the selected time.

- If a routing is displayed, the boat moves at the selected time along its trajectory.

- At the bottom right, the coordinates of the target in the center of the screen are displayed.

- Bottom right: the three orange circular buttons

- Action Button (+)
  - - Download a GRIB file,
  - - Add a POI,
  - - Create a route,
  - - Calculate a routing.

- Boat Button
  - - Centers the map on the boat's position.
  - - Long press : automatically centers and zooms in for a closer view—ideal for navigation.

- Layers button
  - - Chart section :Allows you to choose the type of chart displayed:
      - OpenStreetMap (par défaut)
      - Bing Satellite
      - Nautical charts, if available.
  - - GRIB Display section
      - Allows you to choose which weather parameters to display:
        
        Background color,
        
        Wind barbs,
        
        Additional data depending on the loaded model.
  - - Display Section
      - Allows you to enable or disable the display of :
        
        POI,
        
        Tracks,
        
        Tides,
        
        AIS targets.

- On the map

- Target in the center of the screen.
  - - Orange if at sea
  - - Blue if on the ground
      The target's coordinates are displayed at the bottom right.

- Data from the GRIB file at the target at the time of the time bar

- Tide icons around the world
  - - Red : ebb tide.
  - - Green : rising tide.
      Clicking on an icon opens the tide details with the times and heights calculated directly in the application.

- No-go zones
  - - red polygons
      such as traffic separation schemes or offshore wind farm areas

- Points of Interest (POIs)
  - - in orange

Question 4

How to import a polar file?

Henri · Accepted Answer

Comment importer une polaire?

The application can import polars in the .pol format.

To import your own polar:

Go to the “My Boat” tab, then tap the selected Polar.
Select the “Imported” tab.
Click on the “Import a Polar” button.
Choose your .pol polar file saved on your computer or smartphone.
Once imported, click on the polar to select it.
The polar is then validated.

Advantage: If you are logged into your NavimetriX account, the imported polar is automatically synchronized across all your devices!

What is a GRIB file?

What is a GRIB file?

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What is a GRIB file?

What is a GRIB file?

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Can you describe the user interface?

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How do I download a GRIB file ?

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