On the menu links above are a host of new weather features for ballooning. Some are improvements on existing programs, like www.blastvalve.com's ballooncast and 3day 4cast, and others are competely new, like the Radiosonde or "weather balloon" program.

• Radar shows current US radar and beneath it are Convective weather outlook reports and severe thunderstom warnings.
• BalloonCast features an enhanced interface for the popular Blastvalve weather program. Pilots can choose up to 6 stations for reports and their choices will be remembered for next visit. Also, all states are included on a single page.
• 3 Day Graphic has new cloud graphics and colors, displaying the same data as the 3day 4cast at Blastvalve. Choose your favorite location and it opens automatically next time.
• Weather.com shows current weather conditions and a five day forecast. Start with "Select Your City" the first visit. Click the little plus sign next to each day's forecast for more details.
• Surface Wind arrows point which way the wind is blowing all over the US and southern Canada. Color tells you how fast. Deep purple is great, light purple a bit faster and if the arrows are blue you'd better think hard about launching.
• RUC Winds are wind forecasts updating hourly based on the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model. Choose a location (it remembers) to see winds from the surface and aloft. Watch for future enhancements to this program.
• Radiosonde-Wx Balloons displays actual results from the weather balloons launched twice daily all over the world. This is not a forecast but actual measured winds aloft. Currently set up for the US and Canada, with other countries being added soon as the data is available world wide. Similar format to RUC winds.
• A Wind Profiler is an array of radars pointing up to measure wind speed and direction. This is measured data (not a forecast) and almost realtime. Unfortunately there are a limited number of locations since the equipment is pricey. For resolution, choose 60 to measurements every hour, or 6 for data updated every 6 minutes.  Uses wind barbs to show direction and speed. Light purple is good, anything beyond blue and you're looking at a long jump, and red wind barbs will get you crosscountry in a hurry.

Watch for ongoing enhancements and new features here. Please leave me comments and your suggestions in the comments box below.

Thanks,

Rick Jones