STARS Skywarn Software

Neither STARS nor its Webmaster endorse any of the software shown on this site. There is also no intention to commercially promote or favor one package over another.

There are a number of really good software packages that we find useful to support Skywarn activities and we are sure there are many more out there yet to be found.

F5 Data's FORT

F5 Data's FORT offers High Resolution, Low Bandwidth Synoptic and Mesoscale Forecast Data

FORT is a completely free weather forecast tool that utilizes the highest quality GIS mapping technology. The ability to view computer model forecast maps with zooming, panning, custom overlays and layering are just the beginning. With FORT you are able to forecast on the mesoscale level by zooming down to a county level. Overlays can give you the ability to layer roads, counties, rivers, cities, and any other custom data.

A FORT user has the ability to constrain the thresholds of a certain graphic you want to display. For example; you can choose to only display CAPE instability values from 1000 to 5000 so that your eyes go directly to the areas you are most concerned with. You can also select the color gradients assigned to these values. If you pick green and red for your threshold colors, the software will fill in every color between green and red for intermediate values. If you don't want a color filled map, a simple contour interval can be displayed just as easily.

Roaming Skew-T forecast soundings are also built into the software. Zoom in and pan around on the Skew-T for more detailed analysis. Some 130+ pieces of forecast data are available in our textual forecast sounding display for each data point. There are over 2000 data points across the United States, Canada and Mexico for viewing roaming forecast soundings!

Users of FORT take advantage of our blazing fast data feed. We render all data on our end so your software does a minimal amount of calculations. Because you're not wasting time downloading huge GRIB files from NCEP, your downloads are fast and efficient. They can even be done easily on dialup or mobile connections.

You can see Screen Shots of the program and download the program for free. You can use free, standard, or premium data feeds with this software. You can compare the differace in the data feeds they offer.

Storm Alert's Stormlab

Storm Alert Inc.'s StormLab is the FIRST publicly available and most widely used DOPPLER RADAR software on the market, providing the best of both worlds -- low cost and high customization. In a nutshell, StormLab turns any internet connection into a unique and comprehensive display system for National Weather Service Doppler radars. With access to over 150 radar sites across the entire US, you will have instant access to nearly 2 dozen products including reflectivity, velocity, storm relative velocity, VAD Wind Profiles, precipitation estimates, storm cell data, and MUCH more. View real-time and archived data. Full looping, zooming, printing, web-uploads, overlays and MUCH more. StormLab is designed to accommodate all users from hobbyists to meteorologists.

Storm Alert's Interwarn

Storm Alert Inc.'s InterWARN turns your regular internet connection into your own automated personal wire service for National Weather Service watches, warnings and statements including Storm Prediction Center watches and outlooks, and advisories from the National Hurricane Center. InterWARN's completely customizable and interactive interface allows you to get the information YOU want with options that include visual and audio alarms as well as the ability to save, print, e-mail, and page all incoming weather information.