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NEWS
Blipmap Forum:
Latest: Fri Nov 6 09:30 "Re: NAM Termination and BLIPMAP Future" [Ron Schwartz]
DrJack sez:
(Latest 5 news items)
April 20, 2026 update:
Univiewer MiniBlipspot previous day problem fixed
November 5, 2026:
NAM Termination and BLIPMAP Future
The U.S. National Weather Service has stopped running its NAM model, so
no new NAM BLIPMAP forecasts will be created. The RAP forecasts will continue, but they
are limited to current day forecasts.
I'd seen an announcement that NWS intended to retire the NAM in August - but that date came and went,
then a subsequent intended termination date of September came and went, then similarly for October -
but finally in November the termination is reality.
Given that warning, I'd intended on the death of NAM to post an
announcement offering to transfer the site, forecasts, etc. to anyone
willing to take them over with the intent of updating to replace NAM
with the more recent "Rapid Refresh Forecast System" (RRFS) model with its improved
resolution - else would terminate the BLIPMAP forecasts in the spring,
since NAM model more important than RAP due to its forecasts out to
two days instead of just current day.
BUT just before that date Kurt Thams, who has seen the same
announcements of NAM demise, on his own initiative contacted me and
offered to work on transferring the newer NOAA model and keep the
legacy going. So I will be working with him on that. Given his
experience both in computer systems and in soaring, I think that the
forecasts will be in good hands.
So watch this page for further info. Kurt tells me he is actively
working on getting the system revised to work with
NOAA's newer model. If anyone wants to get involved they can reach him by email
by using his last name combined with circled-at-symbol with his last name and dot-com =
In the interim, I have disabled the contributions link until
I can be assured of the BLIPMAP future.
Jack
February 24, 2026:
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