Vaisala IceCast Forecast Controller

Forecasting Software

Vaisala's 24 hour Forecasting ice prediction module uses the Vaisala IceBreakHeat Balance Model. IceBreak is used worldwide, and currently by more than 10 national meteorological services, to deliver forecasts to road and airport authorities. The key to the effectiveness of  IceBreak lies in how it uses forecast inputs of atmospheric variables to produce a site-specific forecast of surface temperature and state. The standard forecast period is 24 hours, which can be extended to 72 hours if required.

The Forecast Controller enables a client or forecasting agency to automatically generate long-term surface weather forecasts for road or runway operators. The Forecast Controller automatically generates 24 hour forecasts of surface temperature and state for specific weather stations. To do so it requires the Mesoscale data (atmospheric forecast data) for the appropriate forecast weather station.

Key features

• 24 hour forecasts for surface temperature and surface state
• These forecasts can be used to drive thermal maps / gritting routes
• Forecasts are viewed in IceView or IceWeb
• No human input required
• Time at which the Forecasts are produced defined by the user (through receipt of Mesoscale data)

IceWeb display, showing a Vaisala produced 24 hour Forecast using the IceBreak Heat Balance Model.