World Wide Weather Fax Schedules
Primary Source || Archived Copy
The third page of this Fax Schedule document is called "About this Publication." It is a good history of it as written by its compiler. We might only add that the predecessor of this document is a pub called Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts which listed both fax, voice, and telex broadcasts. This latter ones seems to be out of print. The best US paper replacement for it is Radio Navigation Aids, Pub 117. A complete digital copy of this important publication is part of the Weather Resources, which you get to from the Miscellaneous Section. There are also several Canadian publications on Radio Navigation Aids which are as good or better and sometimes more up to date. The British versions are more detailed but are extremely expensive.
For the latest info on weather fax broadcasts please refer to the website of Marius Rensen in Germany. He is a HAM operator who has taken on the task of keeping these data up to date and has done a great job over the past years. The NWS even references him now for the latest info. We try to keep his web address accurate in the Resources section of www.starpath.com. At press time here is was: http://www.hffax.de.
Please refer to the Starpath Weather Trainer software on how to use these fax schedules. There is a complete section there on the contents and meaning of these documents.
The various types of maps broadcast by the US Marine Prediction Center are explained in this Weather Resources CD in the section called "NWS Tips on WX Map Reading." These are of course also covered in detail in the Starpath Weather Trainer with an emphasis on tactical weather routing. (A copy of Weather Trainer is available on the Weather Pak for purchase.)
Be sure to skim through the Appendix. There is a section there on how you can set up an automatic request for weather information via e-mail. Those using HF-email might find it convenient to set up an auto request for the local text or ocean reports.
Weather Services Charts
Marine Weather Services "Charts" are graphic and text descriptions of all weather resources in US waters. There are 13 charts covering all US waters. They cover all marine weather sources, voice, text, maps, and other data including land line telephone numbers. (Note there are Canadian counterparts which are also just as valuable for Canadian waters.)
Of particular value are the forecast and reporting region boundaries that they show graphically on the charts. Note the letter ID of the zone and you will hear or see that in the voice and NAVTEX reports, as well as in the text reports downloaded from the Internet (see Resources section of www.starpath.com).
These valuable charts are not nearly as well known as they should be. For coastal sailing in US waters they are almost mandatory for any level of weather routing or interpretation. They can still be purchased in print form and it is good to have them that way if possible. You will find that they are referred to so often that laminating is worthwhile to protect them.
These computer files can be printed or referred to on the screen. The files are presented as pdf files and as gif graphics. It is up to you to determine which views or prints best on your computer.
We present the gif graphics simply as "associated files." That means we let your computer choose which program you usually use to view this type of file and it should open these that way when you click them from the list we provide.
Typically these are viewed with a graphics program, such as JASC Paint Shop Pro (our favorite for weather graphics) or Adobe Photoshop or the like. They can also be viewed in most web browses.
If the graphic does not open up automatically, then browse to it on the CD or your hard drive and then right click the file and when it says Open with... select that and then choose your web browser and check the box that says always use this program with that type of file.
NWS Tips on Weather Map Reading
Primary Source || Archived Copy
This document contains short but thorough descriptions of what is on each of the various weather maps made by the Marine Predictions Center (MPC). They are written by the actual forecasters that put the maps together. This document is available online at the MPC site (latest address on the title page), but the web format for such a long document can be a bit awkward to read. There are sometimes missing graphics as well. We have taken the liberty to download this file and covert it to a pdf file which will be quicker to read and easier to access.
We have also added "Bookmarks" that will take you directly to specific map discussions.
If you have questions about specific maps, all the information for direct contact to the authors is provided. If you are online when reading this file, you might be able to connect directly with the links provided.
The map descriptions presented here will also serve to explain similar products made by other nations. Most weather symbols and abbreviations are international... although some non-US maps will have isobars every 5 mb instead of the conventional 4-mb spacing.
NWS Handbook of Weather Symbols and Codes
Primary Source || Archived Copy
This publication is the ultimate reference for weather map symbols and abbreviations. Its main purpose is to present the codes and symbols used for weather observers in the field or underway. This latest version also includes several general interest sections such as an excellent discourse on Weather Lore (analogous to the "Old Sayings Explained" section of the Starpath Weather Trainer, which also explains the origin and source of these sayings), and a general note on wise use of weather information for mariners… both at the end of the book.
There are very good sections on clouds and on sea state for those new to the subject who are interested in the proper descriptions of these.
Historically this document was made available to ships participating in the VOS program (see Miscellaneous section of this CD) but now with its pdf publication it can be readily used by the entire maritime community that cares about weather observations, reporting, and forecasting.
World Wide Hydrographic Offices
Generally if a nation has a Hydrographic Office it means they produce nautical charts of their waters. The US and UK and other countries make charts of the world, but sometimes we may find the best or more recent info in the local charts and related publications. These offices will also have info about their tides and currents, navigation aids, plus related maps and publications.
We have included their Internet addresses, fax, and phone when we could find them. Needless to say, these data might change, but if they have a web page once, they generally will keep it, even if the address changes so it can be found with search engines. As a rule, these are very interesting web pages for mariners to visit.
Almost certainly more web pages will be available as time goes by. Try typing in part of the agency name in a search engine to fine new ones. Also remember that several web search engines include online translation functions that work very well for this application once you find the pages.
This compiliation is adapted from the Starpath Chart Trainer program available at www.starpath.com. A copy of it is also included on the Starpath Bowditch Plus! CD.
USCG Weather and Communications Frequencies
An obvious first step in any weather work is to be certain we have our radios programmed to the proper frequencies. The fax frequencies are listed on the Worldwide Fax Schedules pages in that section of this CD. This section lists the various voice and data frequencies that might be used. Most of this data is from direct downloads from the Internet, which is the main source of this type of data these days.
Both VHF and HF or SSB frequencies are discussed. There is also a list of ITU channel assignments for HF radio frequencies.
The USCG broadcasts weather on their main calling frequencies. See also the discussion of what products are available when and on what frequency by checking the text parts of the Marine Weather Services Charts also on this CD.
We also include here a copy of the Starpath VHF Channel Guide. This can be printed on a small card for a convenient wheelhouse reference, which is especially valuable when there are new people at the radio who might not be as familiar with channel usage.
The Pub 117, Radio Navigation Aids can also be accessed from this page as well as from the Miscellaneous section. These two links go to the same place in Weather Resources. This important book lists frequencies and scheduled times for all weather broadcasts as well as general navigation broadcasts. It also includes such things as medical resources that are available by radio as well as various emergency procedures explained in great detail... including response to terrorist activities, etc.
Pub. 117
Primary Source || Archived Copy
This section includes new and miscellaneous documents of interest, foremost of which is the last on the list called Publication 117, Radio Aids to Navigation. This just became available in pdf format. It covers not only weather broadcasts, but all other radio aids to navigation including medical resources available by radio.