Introduction
The wind forecasts displayed in these pages are generated automatically by computer models, without human input or manual quality control. Marine wind forecast maps are updated four times per day. Water and the Land wind forecast maps are updated twice per day.
The wind forecasts are from the Bureau of Meteorology's high resolution weather forecast model (see About the ACCESS model).
Model forecast wind maps
Wind speed
The average wind speed, in knots, is indicated by the colours shown in the legend.
Wind forecasts are for 10-minute average wind speeds at the standard height of 10 metres above sea level. Wind speed usually increases with height above the ground or sea surface. Please be aware wind gusts can be a further 40 per cent stronger than the average wind speed, with even stronger gusts likely in the vicinity of showers, thunderstorms and frontal systems.
Wind direction
Wind direction is indicated by the arrow direction. Winds are typically named for the direction they blow from—e.g. a southerly wind is a wind blowing from the south. An arrow pointing upwards 
is blowing from the south to the north and indicates a southerly wind.
Map navigation
The forecast wind speed and direction is displayed on a national map. Clicking on a region of the map, or using the drop down "Region" menu above the map, will zoom in to a State or Territory view, or northern and southern area maps for the larger States. Views are also available for the capital city local waters areas.
Map animation
Forecast wind maps are provided at 3-hourly intervals for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3; and at 6-hourly intervals for Day 4 through Day 7. The timestep of the map currently selected is indicated by dark grey shading.
All of the timesteps on the timeline above the map are selectable. You can move forwards (or back) in time through the maps, out to 7 days; select a different day or time by clicking on it.
You can also display a loop of the maps as an animation. The play button above the map will move forwards in time through the maps. It automatically loops back to the beginning when it reaches the end. You can also use the forwards and back buttons to step through the sequence one map at a time.
Important note on weather warnings and operational wind forecast maps
These wind forecasts should be used together with the Bureau's national weather and warnings and marine forecast and warning services. As the maps displayed on these pages are produced directly from computer models, they may not always reflect official forecasts, especially in the vicinity of weather fronts, tropical cyclones or in rapidly changing weather conditions.
The Bureau's official wind forecasts for land and near-shore areas (nominally to an extent of 60 nautical miles) can found on MetEye. The MetEye forecast maps have been adjusted by meteorologists to better represent expected weather. These maps are derived from ADFD grids and represent the official Bureau forecasts which are routinely verified.
