Googlified

Google today released a new version of Google Earth. The latest version includes a new “Weather” layer showing constantly updated weather information like the clouds and radar images overlaying the map (the post on the Google LatLong Blog mentioned that there’s a “Conditions and Forecasts” but I can’t find it. Hmm, I didn’t really try). The imageries of clouds and radar are provided by the Naval Research Laboratory and Weather Channel, respectively.

To enable the layer just check the box next to Weather under “Layers” on your sidebar. Remember that you have to upgrade to the latest version to use the new feature, so if you can’t find it, upgrade to the latest version.

You can download and watch the animation of the last 24 hours of clouds data or the last 6 hours of radar data in the Information layer. It’s pretty cool, but takes ages to load on my antiquated computer (or maybe because I was download the latest episode of Chaser’s War).

I hardly watches the weather report (or check on the weather), so hmm, certainly not for me - putting aside that I don’t know how to interpret the Dopplr radar and clouds imageries. Oh well, Google hopes that “this new feature will be useful to picnic-planners and weather buffs alike!” Hehe, I don’t go picnic either.

[thanks Kate Hurowitz of the Google Earth team]