Guide · Passage · GRIB files
Free GRIB files from Passage
For sailors who want wind, current and wave forecasts to open in their own GRIB software, Passage provides free GRIB2 files with no signup. Draw a box, choose a period and download one file each for wind, currents and waves.
Forecast data for planning, not for navigation. Check official forecasts and warnings.
What is in the files?
Choose a wind model for your area. The grid spacings shown in Passage are:
| Model | Grid spacing | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ECMWF | 28 km | Global |
| GFS | 28 km | Global |
| ICON-EU | 7 km | Regional |
| AROME | 2.8 km | Regional |
| UKV | 2.8 km | Regional |
Currents: IBI has a 3.1 km regional grid, hourly data and tide included. It is not an official tidal-stream prediction. Global currents have a 9.3 km grid and 6-hourly data; tides are not resolved, so do not use them as tidal streams.
Waves: GFS-Wave is the wave model available.
Download in three steps
1. Area. Open the Passage GRIB page and draw a box around your sailing area.
2. Period. Choose the next 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days, or the full forecast. Each file stops at its own model’s range.
3. Download. Choose wind, currents and waves, then download one file for each. The files are built in your browser from the same forecast runs as your Passage briefings.
Which software opens them?
Open the files in Adrena, OpenCPN, qtVlm, XyGrib or any GRIB2 reader.
Wind and currents files were tested in Adrena. Waves were not part of that test.
Limitations
These are forecast data for planning, not for navigation. Check official forecasts and warnings. Regional models cover their own areas and shorter ranges; the selected period does not extend a model’s forecast.
IBI includes tide but is not an official tidal-stream prediction. Global currents do not resolve tides and must not be used as tidal streams.
The files contain no pressure fields. Passage runs in a browser with an internet connection; there is no satellite or email delivery.