With PocketGrib you can download, view and analyse global weather data on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone or tablet. Wind, preciptation, pressure, temperature, wave data and more extracted from GRIB files are displayed through our simple interface making it perfect for sailors, windsurfers, and other weather enthusiasts.
Features
- Choose your map location and have weather information overlaid
- Mapped weather can be animated
- Weather can be viewed as a meteogram (graph) or raw data
- Configurable download to minimise file sizes (great for roaming)
- GRIB files can be downloaded to your PC via iTunes
- Displays online or offline
Pocket Grib downloads and displays the following weather types:
- Wind speed and direction (10 m above mean sea level)
- Precipitation (rain, snow etc)
- Pressure
- Air temperature
- Waves
Direct download of GRIB data from NOAA's GFS (Global Forecast System) model
- Forecasts up to 8 days
- Data steps: 3hr, 6hr, 12hr
- Worldwide Coverage
- Resolution: 0.25°, 0.5°, 1°, 2°
- Data updated 4 times a day (every 6 hours)
For most of its GRIB files PocketGrib uses the public GRIB weather service which is provided for free by the Saildocs organisation. They seem to be having a problem with their online GRIB servicee which is causing the error.
An alternative way to get GRIB files is to use one of the GRIB email services below. The links will open a request email in which you just need to set the latitude/longitudes to your desired area.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - this sample will download wind and pressure
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - their email service is actually working but very slowly due to their current problems
Also, here are a couple of GRIB files that cover Europe and North/Central America
iOS Versions
v1.2.6 (May 14th, 2015)
- Added 0.25°x0.25° GFS GRIB download option
v1.2.5
- Fix for iOS8 bug where starting app in landscape mode renders part of the screen inactive
v1.2.4
- Fix sizing of popover in Map View
- Fix for Refresh GRIB downloading incorrect GRIB on iOS8
v1.2.3
- Meteogram display improvements
- Pointer coordinate optimisation required due to Mercator projection
- Bug fixes and workarounds for iOS8
v1.2.2
- Increased pointer accuracy in iOS7 - issue was caused by the removal of the status bar
- Fixed rotation of iOS 5 devices
- Fixed crash on opening of external GRIB
v1.2.1
- Fixed crash on resuming after 4 hours
v1.2.0
- iOS7 version
- 500mb height parameter added
v1.1.9
- Fix crashing issue with iOS7 which occurs when drawing pressure isobars
v1.1.8
- Support for BOLAM model (http://cirrus.meteo.noa.gr/forecast/bolam/index.htm)
v1.1.7
- Basic offline maps
- Pressure maps now label Highs (H) and Lows (L)
- Update weather info whilst panning and zooming
- Allow Dj/Di to be signed to support zyGrib GRIB files
- Auto deletion of GRIB files now happens when app comes to the foreground
- Stop measuring pins from being draggable
- Fixed transparency slider problem on iPhone
v1.1.6
- Basic measuring tool (iPad only)
- Larger pointer used on weather map screen
- Isobar interval can be set to 5mb
- Wind barb legend now correct for m/s units
- Larger text in weather info display on iPad
- Flags on wind barbs are now around the correct way for the southern hemisphere
- Fix to move map scale higher on the screen on iPad
- Fix loading of GRIBs with left hand border of 180 deg (instead of -180)
1.1.5
- Fixed crash when there is only one period of precipitation in the GRIB
- Drawing optimisations
- BSH Current GRIBs removed from catalog due to problems with the BSH generating corrupt GRIB files
1.1.4
- Graph of wave period (Antoine)
- Support for additional languages-German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian
- Legend/key for pressure now shows correctly for inches of mercury (inHg)
- Faster drawing of weather layers
- Graph labels always stay on screen
- Fixed direction of current arrows in Meteogram
- Fix problem with loading currents
Android Versions
v1.0.6
- New buttons to step thru the dates/times (for tablets or phones in landscape mode)
- Wind barb legend now correct for m/s units
- Larger pointer which is easier to see
v1.0.5
- Stop dateSeekBar causing index out of bounds error
- Fix for GRIBs with only one date period in Meteogram
- Lite version initial release
v1.0.1
- Extra help documentation
- Fixed crash when resuming app having last been on the Meteogram or Data Table screens
v1.0.0
- Initial Release
Press Reviews
- Yachting World - Dec 2011, p33
- Practical Sailor
User Reviews
Mike Perkins ★★★★★
by Sailor7924 - Version 1.1.3 - Dec 16, 2012
Excellent App that has been well designed making it easy to use. As a cruising sailor it becomes a very useful reference to weather forecasting.
great app ★★★★★
by Schapera - Version 1.1.3 - Dec 7, 2012
If you are a sailor, its invaluable. I use it on the Mediterranean, specifically Sardinia, and find it very accurate.
PocketGrib ★★★★★
by Hooligan VII - Version 1.1.3 - Dec 2, 2012
Excellent app, but could we have access to CMC as well as GFS so the models could be checked for consistency.
Brilliant ★★★★★
by Carla201102 - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 24, 2012
I live in the Channel Isles, where accurate forecasts are important to our way of life, it is now part of my early morning routine to check Pocketgrib.
pocket grib ★★★★★
by lonnie sailor - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 22, 2012
good weather site for sailors and easy to use
Excellent. ★★★★★
by Dan Winterland - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 13, 2012
Bought it just before I started my Yachtmaster course. Worth every penny.
Skipper ★★★★★
by Iysha Gy 341 - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 13, 2012
I'm a fisherman from Grimsby and this App is Brilliant better than most television forecast
Nice one! Awesome. ★★★★★
by Saling seb - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 9, 2012
Best weather app in the world ever, FACT! If you need decent wether info source thats accurate then Just get it you will love it :)
The best.... ★★★★★
by mahseer - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 3, 2012
Grib file display and as someone who had not tried this for inshore marine forecasts seems very accurate. I prefer this to iGrib
Pocket grib ★★★★★
by Rich Jackson - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 27, 2012
Brilliant
Excellent app ★★★★★
by 911sah - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 23, 2012
Great app. Simple to use with great user interface. Animation works well
Love it ★★★★★
by GuernseyDave - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 22, 2012
Does what it says on the tin.. Great App.
Love it ★★★★★
by Salty sea beard - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 20, 2012
Just makes life so simple, replaces the guess left by many other forecasts and is great for sea kayaking in and around Morcambe Bay.
Great App ★★★★★
by Keptonrunning - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 19, 2012
Intuitive and reliable.
Pocket Grib ★★★★
by SD 12345 - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 16, 2012
Easy to use and intuitive Very good visualisation Data seem a bit conservative - does not always show same wind strengths as my laptop which uses usgrib Still - excellent
Incredible ★★★★★
by Jjboat - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 16, 2012
The best grib file reader on iPad, waves, wind and lots more. To get this information while sailing will change your sailing forever. Just go where the wind takes you. New improvements are added regularly and I thank the guy for making this app. I can now do all I did on a Mac on my iPad. The information comes from the same place most free weather apps use, not from the developer. They are computer predictions no one looks at them. It just gets better and better.
Solent Racer ★★★★★
by Solent Racer - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 13, 2012
Great app very accurate and i combine forecasts from multiple sources and this bang on.
Grib review ★★★★
by OPIO 1 - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 13, 2012
An excellent piece of kit, would not set out without reference to it. Overall it is very comprehensive and accurate. One improvement to the forecast would be Min/Max wind speeds rather than average which seems to be the case at present. OPIO 1
As advertised ★★★★★
by aserbicfool - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 12, 2012
Doesn't come in a tin but dose exactly what it says it will do.
Love weather love this app ★★★★★
by Robine8 - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 12, 2012
Comprehensive meteorological data for the world. Cut out the smiley weather personalities and access the raw data. Use it all over the uk and recently on holiday. See the long term data the weather forecasts don't mention as to preoccupied with not being wrong. Awesome.
Super App ★★★★★
by Banjeroos - Version 1.1.3 - Dec 15, 2012
This app is over the top, No problems at all.
Excellent visualization ★★★★
by svMerlin - Version 1.1.3 - Dec 9, 2012
Great program, but for cruisers it needs a way to import GRIB files obtained via SSB email.
Clay ★★★★★
by Cab6789 - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 26, 2012
I have been using grib programs for years; this is by far the best one I have ever used and it is very simple and straightforward. It provides loads of information. I would rate it right at the top of the whole category of weather apps.
Excellent ★★★★★
by W222222w - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 23, 2012
I have used this for inland sailing (lake Tahoe) and found it to be accurate and easy to use. Cannot comment on ocean applications yet, although the interface seems to simply make grib files accessible and easy to use / translate into usable info. Pulls small files packed with info so bandwidth / data charges not a huge issue.
Excellent ★★★★★
by Lynnatsea - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 22, 2012
I live on a yacht and use this all the time. Accurate and easy to use
Best pocket forecaster! ★★★★★
by KayakJeff - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 16, 2012
This the best tool that I have now for quick reference forecast data. Would love to see more layers available and winds aloft.
Just what I wanted ★★★★★
by Aore Jim - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 14, 2012
It performs well and downloads data quickly. Interface is fairly intuitive.
The best ★★★★★
by Penn Valley - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 10, 2012
Used multiple sources while sailing up and down coast of california, got this app half way through a trip and found it to be easy to use and extremely accurate. I place more weight on this app than the others I use. Highly recommend.
NOAA ★★★★
by Leepinlee - Version 1.1.3 - Nov 1, 2012
Great information a little hard to operate & set up.
Unique and powerful ★★★★★
by Collins72 - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 29, 2012
Down loading the graphed forecast data is extremely valuable . How do you collect the raw data? The wind map is also great, same question. With my weather station I find the prediction good to fair. Improve the graph graphics, could expand ? Keep up the great work. The biometric pressure graph is a WOW. My first choice for forecast .
Impressive!! ★★★★★
by DsPallas - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 26, 2012
Very good app.... good interface and well laid out. Wish all apps were this reliable!!
Great app for sailors ★★★★★
by Dehler_34 - Version 1.1.3 - Oct 25, 2012
Love the wind speed and direction forecast.
flybouys ★★★★★
by Flybouys - Version 1.1.2 - Oct 2, 2012
Use this app all the time to predict sailing conditions. Has been accurate several days out helping with future sail plans. Do miss the Google maps for the weather overlays, but the data is still very good.
Pocket Grib ★★★★★
by Capt. Sid - Version 1.1.1 - Sep 27, 2012
My wife and I have just completed a 10 week cruise from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine and back. Although we had the NOAA weather broadcasts and other sources of weather data, Pocket Grib was our primary source for weather forecasting. It was generally "spot on" with its forecast and the display is elegant. A terrific amount of data in an easy to understand format.
Just what I've been looking for ★★★★★
by tsdevine - Version 1.1.1 - Sep 13, 2012
I love photographing waterfalls….which means I need cloud cover, little to no rain, and calm winds. I also need to see far enough into the future to plan a trip. This app is perfect, gives me easy access to both a graph representation of what I'm interested in (well into the future) as well as an actual map with all the visuals you need to help make a good decision. Bravo!
Wonderful app. ★★★★★
by manzeric - Version 1.1.0 - Sep 21, 2012
I use it to predict conditions on the Copper River Flats, a small portion of NWS area 120, which is so big that the NWS forecasts for the timing and intensity of passing fronts and developing lows are often of little relevance in our small corner of the area.
Cruise planning ★★★★★
by Cap'n Tom - Version 1.1.0 - Sep 16, 2012
I use this app to plan cruises on my sailboat from Maine to North Carolina, but plan on using it to Florida and beyond. The combination of wind and sea state forecasts, along with the other information, is perfect in deciding when to depart especially due to the multi-day presentation.
Wildlife Artist ★★★★
by TheDuckCzar - Version 1.0.10 - Oct 8, 2012
Great for waterfowl hunting! Helps to see swings in the jet steam. Waterfowl use it like a supper highway. Knowing exactly when the wind is going to shift can save your life! Worth the money!
