The maps were created by Tokyo-based software engineer Cameron Beccario.
He made them by taking windspeed data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and the National Weather Service and streaming it into an animation that changes depending on what altitude's winds you want to see.
Pink and white wind is moving fastest, blue and green wind is moving slowest.
So this view reflects the wind near the surface of the Earth:
But this one reflects much higher altitude:
But again, you have to see the animated versions in order to get the full, mesmerizing effect. You can see a "globe" version of the map here or a "flat" one here. Play with the "projection" and "height" controls to see the wind the way you want it. Here's a crazy looking "Atlantis" projection:
