WindScape^TM is an atmospheric modelling system designed to represent wind conditions at any point on the globe. In its normal mode of operation, it takes synoptic weather data gathered by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). This dataset is the result of the collection and processing of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, moisture, pressure and other atmospheric parameters over the entire globe. 

This raw data is collected and interpolated onto a global lat/long grid and then undergoes analysis that ensures it remains consistent with a number of conservation laws known to govern large scale atmospheric dynamics. Once processed in this manner, it is commonly called reanalysis data. The reanalysis data provides a coarse (1 degree) grid of known atmospheric information for a historical time period.

Meso-scale Model

The Meso-scale (regional-scale) model uses six-hourly, one degree resolution reanalysis data for model initialization and 'nudging'. Throughout the annual integration cycle, the model is nudged towards the synoptic state of the atmosphere as contained in the reanalysis data sets. The regional model accounts for forces associated with stratification and inertial forces, friction with the earths surface, accelerations and steering over and around large scale topographical features (such as mountains) and thermal circulations such as sea breezes.

High Resolution Model

The fine-scale model then uses the regional-scale model as a boundary condition to create a yet finer grid, typically of 100 metre resolution. This model takes into account friction from various types of land cover (forests, crops etc) and acceleration over and around smaller-scale topography.

 The result is a complete model of wind conditions within the area of interest. Parameters such as mean wind speed, probability distributions, and directional information can then be extracted for any point.