WeatherDynamics Data Sources & Methodology
Last updated: November 15, 2026
WeatherDynamics is built around a straightforward principle:
Weather information is more useful when you understand where it came from, when it was produced, and what it actually represents.
The application brings together observations, forecasts, radar products, atmospheric analyses, and other meteorological information.
These sources use different methods and describe different aspects of the atmosphere. WeatherDynamics aims to preserve those distinctions rather than present every value as though it were a direct measurement.
1. Our Approach to Weather Data
WeatherDynamics is designed around five principles.
Source transparency
Meteorological values should be identified by their source and relevant observation, analysis, or forecast time.
Scientific accuracy
Observed conditions, analyzed conditions, model predictions, and derived values are different categories of information.
WeatherDynamics aims to label and display them accordingly.
Missing-data integrity
Unavailable meteorological information must not be silently replaced with zero or represented as a valid observation.
Forecast uncertainty
Weather forecasts contain uncertainty. Differences between numerical models or forecast providers do not automatically establish a reliable probability of a particular outcome.
Historical accountability
Forecast changes and forecast accuracy are separate questions.
A changed forecast describes how a prediction evolved. A forecast-verification result compares a previously issued prediction with appropriate subsequent observations.
2. Principal Data Providers
WeatherDynamics uses information from several public meteorological agencies and data services.
Not every source is used on every screen, and individual products may have different availability and geographic coverage.
National Weather Service (NWS)
The National Weather Service provides location-based forecasts, hourly forecasts, forecast discussions, observations, and official weather alerts.
Website: https://www.weather.gov/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA provides a broad collection of meteorological observations, atmospheric analyses, numerical prediction products, radar datasets, marine information, and climate resources.
Website: https://www.noaa.gov/
Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
The SPC produces convective outlooks, watches, mesoscale discussions, and other severe-weather guidance.
Website: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
The CPC produces extended-range temperature and precipitation outlooks.
These outlooks typically describe categories of favored outcomes relative to climatology, rather than exact daily weather conditions.
Website: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
Weather Prediction Center (WPC)
The WPC provides precipitation forecasts, surface analyses, and other national forecasting guidance.
Website: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
The NHC produces official tropical cyclone forecasts, advisories, discussions, and other tropical-weather products.
Website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
NOAA Marine, Buoy, and Tidal Services
WeatherDynamics may incorporate information from NOAA marine forecast services, the National Data Buoy Center, and NOAA Tides and Currents where supported.
NOAA Regional Climate Centers
Climate normals and historical records may be retrieved through NOAA Regional Climate Center data services.
Iowa Environmental Mesonet
Upper-air sounding data may be retrieved through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet at Iowa State University.
Website: https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/
Public NEXRAD Level II Archive
Single-radar observations may be retrieved from public NEXRAD Level II datasets distributed through Amazon Web Services.
3. Observations Versus Atmospheric Analyses
Direct observations
Weather stations measure atmospheric conditions at specific places and times.
Common observations include:
- Temperature.
- Dew point.
- Relative humidity.
- Wind speed and direction.
- Wind gusts.
- Atmospheric pressure.
- Visibility.
- Ceiling and related sky conditions, when reported.
A station observation does not necessarily describe conditions at every nearby location.
Gridded analyses
Some WeatherDynamics values may be supplied by NOAA gridded atmospheric analyses.
These products estimate conditions across a geographic grid by combining observations with analytical methods and other meteorological information.
They are not equivalent to a thermometer, anemometer, or other instrument physically located at your selected point.
Derived quantities
Some values are calculated from other measurements or model fields.
Examples include relative humidity derived from temperature and dew point, apparent-temperature indices, or atmospheric stability parameters.
Derived values depend on the validity and limitations of their inputs and calculation methods.
4. Forecasts and Numerical Weather Prediction
Forecast products represent anticipated future atmospheric conditions.
WeatherDynamics may display official National Weather Service forecasts and numerical model guidance.
Numerical weather prediction systems simulate atmospheric processes using mathematical models, initial atmospheric conditions, and physical parameterizations.
Different models may produce different forecasts because of differences in their:
- Initial conditions.
- Grid spacing and vertical resolution.
- Physical parameterizations.
- Data assimilation.
- Forecast lead times.
- Update cycles.
A model forecast should not be labeled or interpreted as a verified observation.
5. Extended-Range Outlooks
Extended-range products require particular care.
For example, CPC temperature and precipitation outlooks describe whether above-normal, near-normal, or below-normal categories are favored over a specified period.
They are not precise daily forecasts.
WeatherDynamics should distinguish categorical climate outlooks from conventional day-by-day temperature and precipitation predictions.
6. Radar Data
WeatherDynamics uses NOAA radar datasets, including products derived from the NEXRAD network and Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor system.
National radar mosaics
Radar mosaics combine data from multiple radar stations to provide broad geographic coverage.
A mosaic may use compositing, interpolation, or other processing methods.
Its display resolution is not necessarily the same as the underlying observation resolution.
Single-site radar products
An individual NEXRAD radar measures returned electromagnetic signals from targets within its coverage area.
Depending on the product, radar observations may provide information about returned signal strength, radial motion, or polarimetric characteristics.
Reflectivity
Reflectivity describes the strength of returned radar signals and is commonly displayed in dBZ.
Reflectivity is not a direct measurement of rainfall rate, hail size, or storm severity.
Radial velocity
Radial velocity describes motion toward or away from the radar along its viewing direction.
It does not directly measure the complete horizontal wind vector.
Radar resolution
Radar sampling characteristics vary with product and observing mode.
For certain NEXRAD super-resolution Level II products, nominal sampling includes approximately 250-meter radial spacing and 0.5° azimuthal spacing.
The physical beam footprint, effective resolution, and observation altitude depend on radar geometry, range, and other factors.
Radar timestamps
Radar observations are collected over time.
The acquisition time of a radar sweep may differ from the completion time of the overall volume scan or the time a product becomes available for display.
WeatherDynamics aims to make observation age visible so users can distinguish recent measurements from older information.
Important radar limitation
Radar images can reveal signatures consistent with severe storms, but they do not independently confirm every meteorological phenomenon.
A radar-indicated rotation signature is not the same as an observed or officially confirmed tornado.
7. Upper-Air Data and Atmospheric Diagnostics
Upper-air soundings provide vertical profiles of atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind.
They are useful for analyzing atmospheric stability, wind shear, and convective environments.
Derived diagnostics may include quantities such as:
- Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE).
- Convective Inhibition (CIN).
- Lifted Condensation Level (LCL).
- Wind shear.
- Storm-relative helicity.
These quantities depend on the sounding, calculation methods, and underlying assumptions.
Observed soundings and model-derived profiles should be clearly distinguished.
A parameter suggesting a favorable severe-weather environment does not guarantee that a storm or tornado will occur.
8. Forecast Changes and Verification
WeatherDynamics is designed to make forecast history and performance more transparent.
Forecast revisions
A forecast revision describes how a prediction changes between issue times.
For example, tomorrow's forecast high might change from 82°F to 85°F between successive forecasts.
That difference describes the change in prediction, not the error of either forecast.
Forecast verification
Forecast verification compares a forecast issued before an event with subsequent suitable observations.
Defensible verification requires attention to:
- The forecast's original issue time.
- Its valid time and forecast lead time.
- The observation source.
- The geographic relationship between forecast and observation.
- Missing or invalid data.
- Sample sizes and statistical definitions.
An application should not manufacture a forecast history that was never recorded.
Forecast disagreement and confidence
Agreement between two models or forecast sources may indicate consistency between their predictions.
However, agreement alone is not a calibrated confidence estimate or an observed probability of correctness.
Probabilistic statements require appropriate statistical interpretation and supporting evidence.
9. Alerts and Official Warnings
WeatherDynamics displays official weather products when supported.
Official warnings, watches, advisories, outlooks, and forecast discussions are different kinds of meteorological communication.
They should not be treated as interchangeable.
Warning information may be affected by publication delays, device connectivity, server availability, or incomplete data retrieval.
For decisions affecting personal safety, consult the original warning and instructions issued by the National Weather Service and appropriate local authorities.
WeatherDynamics is not an official NOAA or National Weather Service product.
10. Data Freshness and Missing Information
Weather products are published on different schedules.
The age of a displayed product may depend on the observation time, forecast cycle, processing delay, and retrieval status.
Where possible, WeatherDynamics displays relevant timestamps and indicators that information is old or unavailable.
An unavailable reading must not be interpreted as a zero reading.
A previously retrieved value must not be presented as a new observation merely because it is still displayed.
11. Geographic and Product Limitations
Weather-data availability varies by location and product.
Not every radar station, observation network, marine dataset, tropical product, or numerical model covers every location.
The application may also be affected by third-party service limitations and geographic differences in source quality.
12. Contact and Corrections
Scientific accuracy is central to WeatherDynamics.
If you believe a source has been misidentified, a calculation is incorrect, a timestamp is misleading, or a product is being interpreted improperly, please contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Include the product, location, timestamp, and a screenshot if possible.
We welcome scientifically grounded feedback and corrections.