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Maps Do It Better!
Have you ever wondered what wind looks like? We have all certainly felt the power of wind, but is it possible to view wind the same way we are able to view other weather phenomena on a screen? Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg, of the Google Big Picture team, have made this possible! Their collaborative wind map project depicts the current speed and direction of winds throughout the United States. The animated particles of the map are updated every hour using live forecasts of current wind speed and density. The data behind these maps comes from the National Digital Forecast Database. As a live stream animation, this map also highlights the potential of harvesting wind power for energy. You can clearly see some areas are more prone to strong winds than other areas. This might encourage policy makers in windy areas to consider the power of wind in their energy plans. Even if you’re not a meteorologist or politician, this artistic map provides a soothing, meditative work of art to look at. Other times, such as during a hurricane, the visuals of the map may be alarming and ominous. For a full effect of the wind map, we highly recommend checking out the live version as the screenshot below does not fully convey the dynamic power of wind. To learn more about the making of this map, click here. |
