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Better local weather expertise
June 12, 2026 • 3 min read
Learn how Orca handles weather data and what is new in the latest update.
Weather forecasts play an incredibly important role in boating, because the weather can make the difference between a great day at sea and a challenging one. If you are like most boaters, you check the weather forecast several times before and while you are on the water.
Coastal sailing is particularly sensitive to local weather conditions. Islands, hills, and underwater topography all influence the wind, currents, and sea state around you. Because of this, you want to use weather and current models fine-tuned for your boating region.
At Orca, we believe boaters shouldn’t have to be weather experts to get the best forecast. Orca’s weather experience is designed to effortlessly give you the most appropriate weather models available, while at the same time giving you full control if you want to dive deeper.
This week’s update to Orca introduces access to new weather models and tide stations. Read on to understand how Orca handles weather models and what is new in the release.
How Orca Handles Local Weather
Around the world, meteorological institutes collect observations, run simulations on supercomputers, and improve forecast accuracy through cutting-edge research. Some institutes provide global models, while others work at regional scales.
Orca gives you access to many global and regional models.
The baseline for Orca’s atmospheric weather experience is ECMWF, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading global weather forecasting systems. ECMWF provides excellent accuracy for offshore sailing and long-distance planning, making it a strong baseline forecast for boaters worldwide.
However, coastal sailing is affected by local weather conditions that the ECMWF model is not able to capture.
ECMWF to the left and ICON D2 to the right. Notice how the ICON D2 model shows clear effects from land wind shadows, while the ECMWF model gives a much less granular forecast that lacks these details.
This is why Orca supplements global forecasts with carefully curated regional weather models, where they provide better accuracy and granularity.
The same philosophy applies to tides and currents data. While the global CMEMS model provides excellent accuracy for larger currents systems, regional models contain higher granularity near shore, which makes them very valuable for coastal boaters.
CMEMS to the left and AMM15 to the right. Notice how the AMM15 model offers detailed nearshore data and accurately shows currents in the Solent, where CMEMS does not offer any data for this area.
So which model is best for you?
That depends on where you are boating. While some boaters have strong opinions about which models are best in their region, most boaters don’t have the knowledge, interest, or time to research which weather model is best for their region.
To deliver the best possible weather experience for all boaters, by default, Orca intelligently switches to the most appropriate weather model for a given location when you view forecasts and plan routes. This automatic mode selection blends regional and global models into a unified, seamless model – giving you the most relevant data without any effort required on your end.
More Models and Complete Control
While automatic model selection provides the best model selection most of the time, weather forecasting is not an exact science. One model may be generally the most accurate in a region, but it could be weaker than its alternatives in certain situations.
When conditions call for it, and you want to evaluate different weather models, Orca lets you pick individual models. This is especially handy when planning longer trips or when racing. To change your weather model, press the Weather Model selector below the weather forecast graph and pick your desired model.
This is the return leg of the race Færderen 2026. A low-pressure system is hitting the race fleet at night. This makes for challenging tactical decision-making. The ECMWF and ICON Europe disagree significantly about wind speed and direction, but the recommended return route for both models stays mostly the same.
When changing to a specific model, weather overlays will update to reflect your selection, and your route will automatically recalculate using the chosen forecast model.
This week’s update introduced support for ICON D2 and ICON Europe, where the ICON D2 model is the preferred automatic choice within its coverage.
On top of new atmospheric models, Orca now uses tidal heights from the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) in its area of coverage. Additional providers and models will be added over the coming weeks and months. For a full list of models available and their coverage, see the Product Guide.
Upgrade to a Navigation System That Truly Understands the Weather
Orca is a modern navigation system that excels both at planning and navigation. It delivers instruments, radar overlay, and boat control as you expect from a navigation system – along with a truly modern and incredibly powerful planning experience that deeply integrates weather forecasts.
Orca’s combination of leading global forecast providers and carefully selected regional weather models helps you make better and more informed choices at sea, so you can enjoy the moments that matter.
Orca Display is both a planning and a navigation tool.
Upgrade your boating experience today and design your Orca system via the Orca Store. All orders are delivered with free express shipping and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
