Guide to marine weather forecasts: chapter 5

Marine Forecasts - Sample Text Bulletins

Regular Marine Forecast Text Bulletin

The numbers on the left are provided as a reference to the description of the forecast text associated with that particular section of the forecast bulletin.

1. FQCN13 CYQX 211330
Marine forecast for Newfoundland issued by Environment Canada at 10:00 a.m. NST Wednesday 21 January 2009 for today tonight and Thursday.
The next scheduled forecast will be issued at 3:30 p.m.

2. Fog implies visibility less than 1 mile.

3. Strait of Belle Isle.

4. Gale warning in effect.
Freezing spray warning in effect.

5. Wind southwest 15 to 20 knots increasing to northwest 35 early this evening diminishing to 20 Thursday morning. A few flurries beginning this evening. Visibility 1 mile or less in flurries. Over open water freezing spray beginning this evening and ending Thursday morning. Temperature minus 5 falling to minus 15 this evening.

Description

1. The first line of the title block states the telecommunication header of the marine forecast. The telecommunication header is a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) alphanumeric identifier that indicates the country and regional issuing office, as well as the UTC time and date of issue. The title block then states the regional waters for which the forecast pertains to, then the (local) time and date of issue. The period of coverage the forecast is valid for, and when the next forecast will be issued, are also included.

2. The visibility-in-fog statement is used to advise mariners that the presence of fog in the marine forecast implies obstruction to visibility that can range from near zero in thick fog to almost 1 nautical mile in patlihy fog. The fog statement also avoids having to mention visibility in fog each time fog is forecast, so the visibility-in-fog statement helps to shorten the marine forecast too.

3. The geographic name of the marine district is stated for the forecast it applies to.

4. The warning or watch status statement is included if there are any warnings or watches in effect for the marine district.

5. The marine forecast text may contain up to four marine weather elements: (1) wind direction and speed, (2) weather conditions and visibility, if applicable, (3) freezing spray, if applicable, and (4) air temperature, if applicable.

Extended Marine Forecast Text Bulletin

Wave Height Forecast Text Bulletin 

The numbers on the left are provided as a reference to the description of the forecast text associated with that particular section of the forecast bulletin.

1. FQCN23 CYQX 210930
Wave height forecast for Newfoundland issued by Environment Canada at 6:00 a.m. NST Wednesday 21 January 2009 for today tonight and Thursday.
The next scheduled forecast will be issued at 6:00 p.m.

2. Forecast values are combined wind wave and swell heights.
Wave heights may vary considerably due to shoreline and depth effects.

3. Strait of Belle Isle
Northeast Gulf.

4. Over open water seas 1 metre building to 1 to 2 Thursday afternoon.

Description:

1. Title block (including telecommunication header) provides the same level of detail as described for the regular marine forecast bulletin.

2. An advisory stating that the wave heights expected are based on the combined effect of wind waves generated within the marine district as well as swell waves that may originate from outside the marine district. The advisory also states that the bathymetry of coastal zones may cause considerable variations from the forecast wave heights closer to shore.

3. The geographic name(s) the marine districts immediately precede the wave height forecast statement.

4. The wave height forecast statement. Wave height is the only element described. (Note that the term Seas is used to denote waves in ocean water and Waves is used for the Great Lakes.)

Technical Marine Synopsis Text Bulletin

The numbers on the left are provided as a reference to the description of the forecast text associated with that particular section of the forecast bulletin.

1. FQCN10 CWVR 211100
Technical marine synopsis for the Pacific waters issued by Environment Canada at 4:00 a.m. PDT Thursday 21 May 2009 for today tonight and Friday.
The next scheduled forecasts will be issued at 10:30 a.m.

2. Systems position.
At 4:00 a.m. PDT today ridge located on a line north-south overeastern Queen Charlotte Sound.
By 5:00 p.m. PDT today ridge located 60 miles west of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Description:

1. Title block (including telecommunication header) provides the same level of detail as described for the regular marine forecast bulletin.

2. The body of the synopsis text begins with the heading “Systems position,” followed by a brief description of the expected movements and trends of the weather systems impacting the marine district. Only significant weather systems are mentioned.

Technical Marine Synopsis Text Bulletin

The numbers on the left are provided as a reference to the description of the forecast text associated with that particular section of the forecast bulletin.

1. FQCN10 CWVR 211100
Technical marine synopsis for the Pacific waters issued by Environment Canada at 4:00 a.m. PDT Thursday 21 May 2009 for today tonight and Friday.
The next scheduled forecasts will be issued at 10:30 a.m.

2. Systems position.
At 4:00 a.m. PDT today ridge located on a line north-south overeastern Queen Charlotte Sound.
By 5:00 p.m. PDT today ridge located 60 miles west of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Description:

1. Title block (including telecommunication header) provides the same level of detail as described for the regular marine forecast bulletin.

2. The body of the synopsis text begins with the heading “Systems position,” followed by a brief description of the expected movements and trends of the weather systems impacting the marine district. Only significant weather systems are mentioned.

Marine Weather Statement Text Bulletin

The numbers on the left are provided as a reference to the description of the forecast text associated with that particular section of the forecast bulletin.

1. FQCN20 CWHX 122000
Marine weather statement for Nova Scotia issued by Environment Canada at 4:00 p.m. AST Thursday 12 March 2009.

2. A prolonged period of freezing rain is forecast over coastal sectionlong Eastern Shore and Forchu tonight as temperatures remain steady near zero. The freezing rain may result in hazardous icing on vessels and marine infrastructure.Freezing rain will end overnight or early Friday morning as a milder southerly flow develops over the district and temperatures rise above zero.Mariners are advised to take necessary safety precautions and to monitor Coast Guard marine radio or Weatheradio for updated forecasts or warnings.End

Description:

1. Title block (including telecommunication header) provides the same level of detail as described for the regular marine forecast bulletin.

2. The text of the marine weather statement itself; the statement will describe potentially hazardous marine weather, or may provide additional information about marine weather conditions not covered in forecasts or warnings.