Norwegian MET data can be inaccurate for international locations - allow using other weather providers sources
Hi there. I noticed that in my area (Naha, Japan) the weather data is quite inaccurate showing 3-5 degrees C lower. I contacted the Norwegian MET Institute about this & they confirmed that their data is designed for Norway & modelling for other parts of the world is limited & I should use a local service for best results.
I will include my communication with them below.
Although it is fine to accept the limitations & use Gnome Weather understanding that, I think there is an question here regarding the inclusion of Gnome Weather in the Gnome OS notifications panel: where the user does not have the choice to use another tool & may constantly be shown inaccurate weather for their location.
Screenshots from Gnome Notifications & Japan Met actual temp.
Meteorologisk institutt (Yr) Aug 21, 2021, 9:04 GMT+2
Hello Paul,
I agree, it's a bigger difference than we like to see.
Yr.no is a website primarily meant for predicting the weather in Norway. However, since weather observations and forecasts for the entire planet are necessary to calculate how the weather develops in Norway, we have chosen to include forecasts for a number of locations worldwide.
The global calculation model used has a rather coarse resolution. Yet it is being ranked as the top global calculation model for weather forecasts by various international verification services, and its resolution matches similar global models. But – like all weather computing models – it has its weaknesses and limitations. These weaknesses and limitations are both dependent on weather situations and where in the world they occur.
Due to the calculation models having a rather coarse solution, the transition from the coast to the ocean is not properly or accurately described. The ocean temperature is a dominating parameter, and thus influences the forecasted temperature.
The best result achieved when dealing with weather forecasts is usually by choosing the national meteorological institute, in this case Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), as they will probably use models with higer resolution for your areas, and have local meteorologists making forecasts.
Regards, Signe, Yr
Paul Aug 21, 2021, 8:31 GMT+2
I live in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Ive noticed the temperature data for now & forecast is always several degrees lower on Norwegian Met data compared to actual temperature here in Japan. The JMA & Yahoo weather both say its 32 but NO MET says 29. I have noticed this is consistent over the past few weeks. Today NO MET says Naha 27, but actually its 32. Its a big difference!