PredictWind's Tidal Current data is proprietary to PredictWind. PredictWind collaborates with a world-leading oceanographic company to develop the modelling, and PredictWind runs the model.
Resolution is provided at 100 metres, 400 metres, and 4 kilometres. Please see the world coverage map at predictwind.com/world-coverage and scroll down this page to view the high-resolution Tidal Current coverage map.
You can now see the current flow in incredible detail and accuracy, with a 400m resolution model within 90 km of the coast and a 4km resolution out to 600 km further offshore.
Tidal Current Models
Model | Resolution | Duration | Coverage |
PredictWind Tidal | 100m | 36 hours | see Map |
PredictWind Tidal | 400m | 7.5 days | see Map |
PredictWind Tidal | 4 km | 7.5 days | see Map |
IBI Tidal (Offshore App Windows/Mac only) | 4 km | 4 days | see Map |
Please note: The very high resolution 100m Tidal Currents Map/GRIB are displayed for 36 hours from the time we get the file. 00:00 UTC time.
How to View Tidal Currents in the PredictWind App and on the PredictWind Forecast Website
Important Note: Viewing tidal currents requires a PredictWind Standard or Professional Forecast Subscription.
Upgrade in the PredictWind Forecast website or review How to Upgrade Your PredictWind Forecast Account for more details.
You need to add a forecast location for the area you want to view the tidal currents. This will show the highest resolution currents available for this area.
Select Forecast Maps
Open the Forecast Options pop-up box
Select Currents from Forecast Options
Select Tidal and Ocean for coastal currents.
Select the highest resolution available, i.e. 100m (highest resolution) / 400m or 4km.
Select the display type you want, i.e. streamlines or arrows.
Once you have selected your option, click the X at the top of the pop-up box to view the chosen map in full.
If you want to view Tidal Currents adjacent to your forecast location, you will need to add another forecast location in that area to see the high-resolution currents in the adjacent location.
Tidal Currents in Weather Routing and Departure Planning
Any Weather Route or Departure Plan calculation using either the Standard or Professional subscription will consider your choice of ocean current model and wave polars when calculating a route.
The router uses Tidal Current where and when available, but if we do not have tidal currents at a given location, then the router will fall back to your selected ocean current model.
Using Weather Routing in the PredictWind App or Forecast Website
In the PredictWind App or website, after calculating a weather route, under Forecast Options select Currents then Tidal. You will see the tidal currents for the area at the start of your route (Green Start Waypoint).
As you sail along the coast, as you run each new weather route, the new Tidal Current Map will show up for the new start location you are in.
To view Tidal Currents in the Offshore App
Important Note: Viewing Tidal Currents in the Offshore App requires a PredictWind Professional Forecast Subscription.
Upgrade in the PredictWind Forecast website or review How to Upgrade Your PredictWind Forecast Account for more details.
Viewing Tidal Current GRIB files on the PC or Mac versions of the Offshore App. Please note, this feature is not available on iOS or Android.
The Offshore App is great as it stores your Current GRIBs to be viewed offline.
To view Tidal Currents in the Offshore App:
Open the Offshore App.
Select Ocean Data, then under Forecast Options, select Tidal Currents.
All the Blue Boxes showing are the Tidal GRIBs available to download.
The smaller the box, the higher the resolution of the GRIB.
Click on all the Blue Boxes of the Tidal GRIBs you want to download. This will turn the Blue Boxes Pink.
Select the Green Download button from the Main menu.
You will notice a section called Ocean Data.
Make sure the Ocean Data box is checked in the top right corner, as well as PredictWind Tidal Currents and any Ocean Current models you may also want to download.
Please note the IBI tidal currents only cover to the tidal currents surrounding the UK, North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Once selected, click Next, then Download All to download the selected Tidal GRIBs.
Once downloaded, the GRIBs will now show as a yellow box, you can click inside any yellow box to see the Tidal GRIB data.
Select Play to see the animation over time or use the time slider along the bottom.
Using Weather Routing in the Offshore App
NOTE: Tidal Current GRIB files on the PC or Mac versions of the Offshore App. This feature is not available on iOS or Android.
In the Offshore App, if you run a route, select Ocean Data and Tidal GRIBs. The Tidal GRIBs along the route will download, so when you select Ocean Data, you will see lots of yellow boxes of Tidal GRIB data.
If you push play on your weather route, each tidal GRIB will show as the boat moves along the route.
You need to hide all the routes to view a specific Tidal GRIB in routing.
Click the Hide/Show Button.
Then click all blue Hide buttons (grey SHOW buttons are viewed).
Now you can click inside any yellow GRIB box to view the specific Tidal Currents for this location. The GRIB you select to view will turn pink.
