Royal Yacht Squadron Weather and Communications Day Getting non GMDSS Weather Information Tim Thornton.

Royal Yacht SquadronRoyal Yacht SquadronWeather and Weather and

Communications DayCommunications Day

Getting non GMDSS Weather InformationGetting non GMDSS Weather InformationTim ThorntonTim Thornton

March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd

Getting Weather on BoardGetting Weather on Board

Broadcast ServicesBroadcast Services

WeatherFaxWeatherFax

RTTYRTTY

SYNOPSYNOP

Internet ServicesInternet Services

Web browsingWeb browsing

GRIB filesGRIB files

Weather ServicesWeather Services

Future trendsFuture trends


WeatherfaxWeatherfax

Weather maps transmitted over MF/HF SSB radio at Weather maps transmitted over MF/HF SSB radio at

scheduled timesscheduled times

Offenbach and Northwood in EuropeOffenbach and Northwood in Europe

Needs PC software or dedicated receiverNeeds PC software or dedicated receiver

Takes 10-15 minutes to receive a faxTakes 10-15 minutes to receive a fax

Needs some practice selecting the best frequency, Needs some practice selecting the best frequency,

tuning the radio and receiving the faxtuning the radio and receiving the fax


WeatherfaxWeatherfax


RTTYRTTY

Text weather forecasts transmitted over MF/HF SSB Text weather forecasts transmitted over MF/HF SSB

radio at scheduled timesradio at scheduled times

Offenbach in EuropeOffenbach in Europe

Needs PC software to decodeNeeds PC software to decode

Needs some practice selecting the best frequency, Needs some practice selecting the best frequency,

tuning the radio and receiving the faxtuning the radio and receiving the fax


SYNOPSYNOP

Encoded current weather reports sent as RTTYEncoded current weather reports sent as RTTY

Offenbach in EuropeOffenbach in Europe

Useful to give very detailed current reports from ships Useful to give very detailed current reports from ships

etcetc

Needs PC software to decode and plotNeeds PC software to decode and plot


SYNOPSYNOP


Weather SatelliteWeather Satellite

Direct reception of satellites images as they Direct reception of satellites images as they

pass overheadpass overhead

Visible and infra-red imagesVisible and infra-red images

No forecastsNo forecasts

Worldwide coverage, no costWorldwide coverage, no cost


Weather SatelliteWeather Satellite


Sources of Internet DataSources of Internet Data

Current weather reports e.g. weather Current weather reports e.g. weather stations, weather camsstations, weather cams

Remote sensingRemote sensing Forecast mapsForecast maps Weather Portals – One stop shopsWeather Portals – One stop shops Forecast data e.g. GRIBForecast data e.g. GRIB Weather routingWeather routing Commercial services Commercial services


Web BrowsingWeb Browsing

Many sites availableMany sites available

Current weather reports and forecastsCurrent weather reports and forecasts

Downloads can be slow e.g. slow web servers or large graphics Downloads can be slow e.g. slow web servers or large graphics

filesfiles

Save sites in your favourites instead of searching when using Save sites in your favourites instead of searching when using

mobile communicationsmobile communications

Can be cheaper to use a paid for commercial service as files are Can be cheaper to use a paid for commercial service as files are

much smallermuch smaller


Weather ReportsWeather Reports

Weather station reportsWeather station reports Weather buoysWeather buoys Reporting ShipsReporting Ships Weather camsWeather cams

Check the time of the weather reports.Check the time of the weather reports.

Beware of local effects, and the location of Beware of local effects, and the location of the station relative to youthe station relative to you


US NWS – Worldwide US NWS – Worldwide ReportsReports

http://http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/GB_cc.htmweather.noaa.gov/weather/GB_cc.htmll

See weather reports for land based See weather reports for land based weather stations worldwideweather stations worldwide



US NDBC – Ships, weather US NDBC – Ships, weather buoys etcbuoys etc

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search.phtmlhttp://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search.phtml

Search for all weather reports within a given distance and time periodSearch for all weather reports within a given distance and time periodSee all reports with latest dataSee all reports with latest dataSee the history of data at weather buoysSee the history of data at weather buoys



Local StationsLocal Stations

Many local stations appearing, e.g. Many local stations appearing, e.g. BrambleMet, Cowes, St Catherines Pt BrambleMet, Cowes, St Catherines Pt



Weather CamsWeather Camshttp://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams/world.htmlhttp://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams/world.html

Live images showing the weather at various locationsLive images showing the weather at various locationsOften with current weather data as wellOften with current weather data as well


Remote SensingRemote SensingWeather satellite images and derived productsWeather satellite images and derived productsVisible and infra-red images for cloud type and height, sea surface temperature, ocean currents available Visible and infra-red images for cloud type and height, sea surface temperature, ocean currents available

real timereal timeDerived products: wind, wave, current etc very useful (particularly over sea areas) Derived products: wind, wave, current etc very useful (particularly over sea areas) Coverage and speed of delivery needs improving for some productsCoverage and speed of delivery needs improving for some productswww.sat.dundee.ac.ukwww.sat.dundee.ac.uk


Pseudo Colour ImagePseudo Colour Image

Resolution 1kmResolution 1km Images up to every Images up to every

15 minutes15 minutes White – high cloud; White – high cloud;

yellow – low cloudyellow – low cloud Can show sea breeze Can show sea breeze

frontfront


Sea Surface TemperatureSea Surface Temperature Needs no clouds!Needs no clouds! Land/sea temperatures Land/sea temperatures

help predict sea and help predict sea and land breezesland breezes

Sea and low air temp Sea and low air temp help predict end of help predict end of inversioninversion

Gulf Stream & other Gulf Stream & other currentscurrents


Wind Speed and DirectionWind Speed and Direction Satellite pass twice dailySatellite pass twice daily Data 1-2 hours old when Data 1-2 hours old when

processedprocessed Wind direction can be 90 Wind direction can be 90

deg out at timesdeg out at times Can show local Can show local

behaviours not shown by behaviours not shown by forecastsforecasts


Numerical ForecastsNumerical Forecasts All forecasts based on numerical modelsAll forecasts based on numerical models Manual forecaster input only useful for first 1-Manual forecaster input only useful for first 1-

2 days2 days Synoptic models for global weather forecasts Synoptic models for global weather forecasts

(e.g. GFS, WW3, ECMWF)(e.g. GFS, WW3, ECMWF) Mesoscale models for higher resolution local Mesoscale models for higher resolution local

forecasts (e.g. ETA, Theyr, HIRLAM, MM5). forecasts (e.g. ETA, Theyr, HIRLAM, MM5). These can better model fronts, sea breezes, These can better model fronts, sea breezes, mountain winds etcmountain winds etc


Weather MapsWeather Maps

Many sites have weather maps for viewingMany sites have weather maps for viewing Typically generated automatically from Typically generated automatically from

numerical modelsnumerical models Sites may use the same data source but just Sites may use the same data source but just

presented differentlypresented differently Images can be large, so slow to downloadImages can be large, so slow to download Viewing relatively inflexibleViewing relatively inflexible


Weather Map SitesWeather Map Sites

Westwind – www.westwind.ch - searchable Westwind – www.westwind.ch - searchable database of all European datadatabase of all European data

FNMOC – aipswebu1.fnmoc.navy.mil – FNMOC – aipswebu1.fnmoc.navy.mil – NOGAPS worldwide modelNOGAPS worldwide model

Theyr – high resolution forecasts – Theyr – high resolution forecasts – www.theyr.net or www.theyr.tvwww.theyr.net or www.theyr.tv


Westwind ExampleWestwind Example


Weather PortalsWeather Portals

Sites where a mass of weather data from Sites where a mass of weather data from various sources is brought togethervarious sources is brought together

Weather Underground www.wunderground.comWeather Underground www.wunderground.com

Weather Online www.weatheronline.co.ukWeather Online www.weatheronline.co.uk

Westwind – www.westwind.chWestwind – www.westwind.ch

BBC – www.bbc.co.uk/weatherBBC – www.bbc.co.uk/weather

UK Met Office – www.metoffice.comUK Met Office – www.metoffice.com


GRIB FilesGRIB Files

Standard file format displayed by many chart plottersStandard file format displayed by many chart plotters

Download numerical data – faster than imagesDownload numerical data – faster than images

Free data: 1 or 0.5 degree, 3 or 6 hour resolution of wind, Free data: 1 or 0.5 degree, 3 or 6 hour resolution of wind,

pressure etcpressure etc

Use tools like Saildocs or download from sites like RaymarineUse tools like Saildocs or download from sites like Raymarine

Higher resolution data at a charge e.g. Meteo France NaviMail, Higher resolution data at a charge e.g. Meteo France NaviMail,

ProGribProGrib

Each file is standalone, so cannot combine downloadsEach file is standalone, so cannot combine downloads


Free GRIB File SourcesFree GRIB File Sources

Raytech – www.raymarine.com (3 day fcsts)Raytech – www.raymarine.com (3 day fcsts)Navcenter.com – Navcenter.com –

www.navcenter.com/newdwnld.ccmlwww.navcenter.com/newdwnld.ccmlMaxsea – Chopper tool for e-mail service (up to Maxsea – Chopper tool for e-mail service (up to

15 day fcsts)15 day fcsts)Global Marine Net – Global Marine Net –

www.globalmarinenet.net/grib.htm (5 day www.globalmarinenet.net/grib.htm (5 day fcsts)fcsts)

Saildocs – www.saildocs.com - e-mail serviceSaildocs – www.saildocs.com - e-mail serviceGrib US - www.grib.us – web downloadGrib US - www.grib.us – web download


GRIB FilesGRIB Files


NowcastingNowcasting

Stand-alone weather programStand-alone weather program

Coverage Europe (inc. Med) and CaribbeanCoverage Europe (inc. Med) and Caribbean

Detailed short term wind and wave forecastsDetailed short term wind and wave forecasts

Fast downloads from the internetFast downloads from the internet

Easy to useEasy to use

Cost £25/monthCost £25/month


NowcastingNowcasting


Bon VoyageBon Voyage

Stand-alone weather programStand-alone weather program

Worldwide coverageWorldwide coverage

Comprehensive 4 or 9 day forecastsComprehensive 4 or 9 day forecasts

Data sent by e-mail dailyData sent by e-mail daily

Basic passage planning toolsBasic passage planning tools

Cost approx. £5/day for 30 days of 4 day forecasts, Cost approx. £5/day for 30 days of 4 day forecasts,

£7/day for 9 day forecasts£7/day for 9 day forecasts


Bon VoyageBon Voyage


Moving WeatherMoving Weather

New service launched at London Boat ShowNew service launched at London Boat Show

Uses low-res GFS data, but interpolates to make it seem betterUses low-res GFS data, but interpolates to make it seem better

Simple and easy to useSimple and easy to use

Good for overview or long passages, but not detailed enough Good for overview or long passages, but not detailed enough

for coastal sailingfor coastal sailing

Cost £25 for the software, and up to £125/year for the forecastsCost £25 for the software, and up to £125/year for the forecasts


Digital AtmosphereDigital Atmosphere

Software for downloading, decoding and viewing current Software for downloading, decoding and viewing current

weather reportsweather reports

Also displays GRIB filesAlso displays GRIB files

A huge variety of data is available, but some of it is too A huge variety of data is available, but some of it is too

technical for the average sailortechnical for the average sailor

Simple and easy to useSimple and easy to use

Not as much data for Europe as for USA, due to different Not as much data for Europe as for USA, due to different

government policiesgovernment policies

Cost from US$89 for the software, downloads free dataCost from US$89 for the software, downloads free data


Digital AtmosphereDigital Atmosphere


SmartMetSmartMet Combines forecasts, satellite imagery, current Combines forecasts, satellite imagery, current

weather reportsweather reports Developed as part of the European Space Agency Developed as part of the European Space Agency

MIDAS projectMIDAS project Small, fast downloads – smaller than GRIBSmall, fast downloads – smaller than GRIB Integrated database, no problems of separate Integrated database, no problems of separate

filesfiles GRIB import and exportGRIB import and export Launched in January this yearLaunched in January this year Mobile phone and web versions to followMobile phone and web versions to follow Subscription £49/yearSubscription £49/year


MIDAS DataMIDAS Data GFS and Theyr weather forecastsGFS and Theyr weather forecasts WW3 nwave forecasts and MFS Med surface WW3 nwave forecasts and MFS Med surface

current forecastscurrent forecasts Quickscat wind reportsQuickscat wind reports SYNOP ship and weather buoy reportsSYNOP ship and weather buoy reports Satellite imagery from Meteosat 8, NOAA and Satellite imagery from Meteosat 8, NOAA and

MODIS satellitesMODIS satellites Detailed forecasts for Europe, standard Detailed forecasts for Europe, standard

forecasts for the worldforecasts for the world






Weather RoutingWeather Routing

Calculating the quickest route to sailCalculating the quickest route to sailInputs:Inputs:- Your boat’s polarsYour boat’s polars- Tidal streams / ocean currentsTidal streams / ocean currents- Forecast winds (GRIB file)Forecast winds (GRIB file)Outputs:Outputs:- Optimal routeOptimal route- IsochronesIsochronesPrograms: Maxsea, seaPro, Raytech, DeckmanPrograms: Maxsea, seaPro, Raytech, Deckman


Maxsea RoutingMaxsea Routing


Future DevelopmentsFuture Developments

Continued move away from tools like Continued move away from tools like weatherfax and Navtex to internet weatherfax and Navtex to internet based systemsbased systems

Increase in integrated weather servicesIncrease in integrated weather services Better integration of all information on Better integration of all information on

board- e-navigationboard- e-navigation Enhanced communications management Enhanced communications management

from the vessel to the internetfrom the vessel to the internet


ALISALIS A research project sponsored by Galileo looking at A research project sponsored by Galileo looking at

marine location based servicesmarine location based services Sophisticated tools for managing data downloads and Sophisticated tools for managing data downloads and

minimising download sizesminimising download sizes Automatic push of user selected data, e.g. chart Automatic push of user selected data, e.g. chart

corrections for my charts in my sailing area, or send corrections for my charts in my sailing area, or send me a weather forecast if the wind will exceed 25 knotsme a weather forecast if the wind will exceed 25 knots

Interest from MCA, UKHO due to parallels with e-Interest from MCA, UKHO due to parallels with e-navigation in commercial shippingnavigation in commercial shipping

Initial research project drawing to a close, now Initial research project drawing to a close, now assessing commercial developmentassessing commercial development


ALIS dataALIS data Trials run in central English Channel, Denmark Trials run in central English Channel, Denmark

and French Rivieraand French Riviera Data sets:Data sets: MIDAS/Smartmet weather, shipping forecastsMIDAS/Smartmet weather, shipping forecasts Navigation warningsNavigation warnings Chart correctionsChart corrections Almanacs, sailing instructions and supplier Almanacs, sailing instructions and supplier

databasesdatabases See www.alismarine.com to use the prototype See www.alismarine.com to use the prototype

systemsystem


ConclusionsConclusions Huge amounts of data out thereHuge amounts of data out there Research the data that meets your needs before going afloatResearch the data that meets your needs before going afloat Trade-off of cost of data against level of detail, reliability and comms costsTrade-off of cost of data against level of detail, reliability and comms costs Always compare the forecast with what you observe!Always compare the forecast with what you observe!

Royal Yacht Squadron Weather and Communications Day Getting non GMDSS Weather Information Tim Thornton.

Documents

smartcom software

weather buoys weather

weather satellite slide

current weather data

weather cams http

weatherfax weather maps

synop slide

weatherfax slide