This is a simple "IDV HTML" tutorial.

How U and V Components Of Wind Are Combined
To Find the Wind Speed.

Under each of the two displays below, select a time and model to show the analyses of the wind u and v component. After selecting time and model, click on Create Display.

U component:


Date and Time:
NCEP Model:


V component:


Date and Time:
NCEP Model:

Now change the level of the u and v displays to show u and v at 250 mb. Change the color tables to Basic->Windspeed for colors to show the high and low values better.

All IDV interactive controls are available

Are there any negative values of wind speed component values? Zoom in to see details if necessary. How can "wind speed" be negative?

Note areas of high U and V. If there a clear pattern related to today's weather?

Now set the same time and model in the selectors for this display, and click on Create Display to see the wind speed made from u and v:

Wind Speed:


Date and Time:
NCEP Model:

Where are the high speeds? Is there a pattern or connection to today's weather?

Use this display to see the windspeed as a 3D iso-surface:

Wind Speed Isosurface:


Date and Time:
NCEP Model: