Introduction to Frank's Weather Site
Weather determines where we sail to, when we sail there and if we sail at all. This site is a guide to marine weather forecasts and how to use them. Understanding marine weather forecasts and about weather at sea are both essential to safety of vessels and their crews, especially those of sailing yachts and leisure motor boats.
Over the years, when I have seen a need, I have added other pages that might be of interest - including the vexed issue of climate change.
Really heavy weather sailing!!!
This picture was kindly supplied by Mike Cobbe - on the left in fetching grey and yellow. They were trying to secure the dinghy on the deck of the J-Class Velsheda on passage from Solent to Cherbourg.. Winds were 70 to 80 knots and visibilty was about 100 feet - in all directions including upwards! They were down to a storm trysail and storm staysail. At one stage, they gybed - with running backstays - which caused a little fun!
They did have harnesses and were attached but could well have gone over the side; note the lack of guardrails! This was the only picture taken because of all the water flying around, nobody had an underwater camera. This was in the mid 1970s before the age of digital cameras.
The forecast was for a gale but with a big boat and big experinced crew no problem was expected. In the event, conditions were worse than originally forecast due to a a secondary low. Hopefully with modern forecasting such extreme errors are now far less likely. However, they can never be totally excluded. The prudent skipper does not play fast and loose with the weather.
The links below and always visible in the Left Hand Sidebar will take you to the various areas of this site.
GMDSS Weather Forecast Services |
GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) services are available worldwide via VHF, NAVTEX, INMARSAT and SSB radio. These pages relate to Europe, the eastern North Atlantic, the Baltic and Mediterranean. |
Marine Weather information on-line |
The Internet is an alternative source of forecasts and a provider of information not covered by the GMDSS. However, it is not an operational service. It will not always be available or it may have high communications costs. |
GRIB Files - all you want to know |
An increasingly used weather resource, often misunderstood. These pages will help |
Information for specific sailing areas |
Forecasts and weather in European areas and the Atlantic. |
Understanding Marine Forecasts |
Getting marine weather forecasts is only the start; understanding and knowing the terminology and how best to use forecasts are the real problems. |
What is behind the forecast |
Weather prediction, limitations, the data used, and observing the weather. |
Understanding Marine Weather |
Much of our weather is often rather small scale. Some of these pages challenge conventional wisdom. |
Marine Weather Communications |
For many, the BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast is all they ever use but there are many other forecasts available - given the right communications and knowledge. |
Climate Change |
The issues, the arguments, the experts. |
Beaufort Scale, Meteorological History |
I find these pages interesting - and hope that you may do also. |
Some basic theory |
Coriolis, Formation of pressure differences, why air moves, heating and cooling of the air. |
General Weather and Sailing Links |
National Weather Services, other sites, Clubs and Associations, Commercial links. |
Site Overview |
This site applies my long and wide experience in meteorology and sailing to help others to whom weather forecasts, and marine weather forecasts in particular, are mysteries. |
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