Marine Weather
Up to date marine weather forecasts are essential for safety at sea and, as weather services are available from such a variety of sources these days, good marine weather information is available just about anywhere. However, getting the weather forecast is only half the story. Once you have the information, the problem lies in interpreting the data and deciding on the best course of action.
Here we've rounded up some useful resources and reading matter to help you obtain marine weather forecasts wherever you go and make best use of the information once you've got it. For local sources of weather information go to our Cruising Guides.
Marine Weather Online
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au
Marine weather services including observations, coastal and
local waters forecasts, warnings and satellite imagery
BBC
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast
Shipping forecast, inshore waters,
Atlantic pressure chart, coastal forecast and coastal observations.
Also UK tidal information for the next 6 days.
Carib WX
www.caribwx.com
Weather forecast information for the Eastern Caribbean
Jcomm Oceanography and Marine Meteorology
http://weather.gmdss.org
Provides marine weather information broadcast via Inmarsat-C
SafetyNET and some information broadcast by NAVTEX is also included
Marine Weather - Environment Canada
www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
Marine forecasts and weather warnings for Canada's coastal
regions. Also links to Marine Services Online such as tidal
information and notices to mariners.
Meteo France
http://marine.meteofrance.com
Forecasts for French inshore and offshore waters including the
Atlantic
Met Office
www.metoffice.gov.uk
Comprehensive UK regional and marine
weather forecasts including inshore waters and the shipping
forecast. Also European and worldwide forecasts available for
major locations, surface pressure charts and satellite imagery.
NOAA's Marine Forecasts (USA)
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm
Links to US Marine Forecast Offices and Centres for regionally
focused weather and tidal information. Also other links of interest
to mariners.
Oceanweather inc
www.oceanweather.com
Current worldwide marine data (wind speed and direction, wave
height, surface temperature) available online. Also
forecasting services and software.
The Weather Window
http://weather.mailasail.com
Global weather information provided by weather experts, Frank
Singleton and Chris Tibbs, plus Mailasail's free email weather
service
Weather Online
www.weatheronline.co.uk
Worldwide weather information with dedicated marine pages,
satellite imagery, rainfall radar and surface pressure charts
Windfinder.com
www.windfinder.com
Wind and weather tools and apps, including wind and weather
forecasts, for a range of outdoor sports
Quick Links
Marine Directory Index
Recommended Books
Modern Marine Weather
David Burch
Recommended by a weatherman as the definitive text for anyone
wanting to learn marine meteorology. Subjects covered include
sources of weather information, latest equipment for receiving
forecasts and weather routing. Easy to follow and with good
detail.