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Role of marine weather Elements of marine weather and how they relate to each other and to forecasting Terminology and glossaries • Getting started on sources • Getting started on map symbols
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Why the wind blows Pressure and barometers Properties of Highs, Lows, ridges and troughs Winds from isobars Apparent wind to true wind
• More on map reading
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Causes and descriptions of global winds Doldrums • Trade winds • Horse latitudes • Prevailing westerlies • Polar front • Air mass classification
• Structure of the atmosphere • Stability • Ocean currents • Centers of Action concept
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Lows Fronts Squalls Tropical storms and hurricanes • Strong winds in clear skies • A reminder that ultimately we will more often use our knowledge of marine weather to find more wind than to avoid too much wind. |
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Clouds types and meaning Fog types and meaning Wave terminology Sea state forecasting Beaufort scale
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Sea breezes • Land breezes • Channeling and gap winds • Blocking and shadowing • Effects of friction on shoreline winds Sailboat tactics
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More practice on map reading • Sorting out typical confusions • Map sequencing to verify forecasts • Weather routing • Fine tuning wind predictions Use of sea state maps Use of ocean current maps Comparing GRIB data with analyzed products from the NWS • Automated weather routing software
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Marine Weather Services Charts • How to use local and international forecast zones • Local and high seas radio voice sources • Traditional radiofacsimile options and how to use them New resources available by SSB, satellite phone, and cell phone connections to PCs Model forecasts in GRIB format on land and underway Pros and cons and safe usage of GRIB data • Overview of Internet sources • Quick Scat winds • WWV storm warnings Weather data by FTP-email • Ultra mobile data for use in cell phones and PDAs • Professional routing services |
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Quick forecasting tips In-depth use of barometer • Meaning of wind shifts • What the swells, waves, and ripples can tell us • Old sayings explained Meanings of Clouds • Logbook procedures • Combining observations with forecasts • How to explain why your own forecast was wrong!
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What is reversed and what isn't Unique features of Southern Hemisphere weather Special sources
for Southern Hemisphere weather data
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