Marine Weather Forecasting

[sinbad7]

Reading between the lines,I think we will shortly have many discussions regarding
grib and other weather forecasting facilities available to the mariner.

For this reason,I thought it appropriate to open a special thread devoted to the
many aspects of MARINE WEATHER FORECASTING.

[sinbad7]

You might be interested to see the Fugawi Marine ENC 'experimental' GRIB display..
It is also quite configurable and gets the GRIB data by e-mail polling.

More info here:

And more from Frank Singleton:

[sinbad7]

And here's a couple of samples from the free UGRIB program,in selection modus and today's forecast for my Costa Verde area. I am posting these for comparison reasons as well as for future feature ideas. Fugawi is still in the experimental stage but works well.

We need interfaces to the grib data for direct connect via Internet,email,Satellite,and
3G, to name the most important.

[sinbad7]

PeteCross..

Here is another screen dump from MaxSea which uses multi colored display..

[sinbad7]

Another free program is ExpeditionLT which uses downloaded grib files.Unfortunately,
to download grib files (which are free) you have to join as a member at various price levels. You can,however download the grib files with other free programs.

It has many interesting functions even in their LT version and it uses a version of C-map for display. The color coding makes it easy to read.

[Cheechako]

are these predictions or current conditions?

[idpnd]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

are these predictions or current conditions?

The date is indicated on the chart or navigation programme window.

[sinbad7]

CheeChako #6

This is the general description of GRIB predictions:
WARNING:

Most GRIB files available are extracted from a computer forecast model. While such computer data can provide useful guidance for general wind flow and pressure systems, they are not necessarily reviewed and the data may not be current or correct. Along shore, local effects may dominate. In addition, the models cannot provide adequate prediction for tropical systems, frontal activity or convergence zones. For hurricane/cyclone forecasts, carefully monitor the appropriate warning messages and do not rely on GRIB data from any source. GRIB data should be considered supplemental, and not be relied upon in lieu of professionally-generated charts or forecasts. Mariners are urged to use these data in conjunction with forecaster generated forecasts.

[bdardy]

Hi
I use Zygrib zyGrib
work on linux (debian/umbuntu) and linux, language french, english, german, italian, russian

bernard

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

WARNING: ... GRIB data should be considered supplemental, and [should] not be relied upon in lieu of professionally-generated charts or forecasts. Mariners are urged to use these data in conjunction with forecaster generated forecasts.

This is very good advice.

GRIBs are very easy to access and use, but they are "untouched by human hands", that is, no expert meteorologist has interpreted and edited the data. I've used them a lot here in the Tropics, and find them very helpful in predicting trends in the weather, but I always look at other sources and never rely on GRIBs alone. I've found that they tend to "average out" windspeeds, however. In other words, the windspeeds that you actually experience where you're located could be significantly lower or higher than the GRIB forecast.

[sinbad7]

For the un-initiated,this is a typical GRIB collection interface which can be linked via e-mail to collect the data within the geographical perimeters selected or automatically calculated from the map on display at the time.

I normally use this address: query@saildocs.com

Here is a typical request sentence:
grib:36S,18S,59W,26W|0.5,0.5|12,24,36,48,60,72,84, 96,108,120

The GRIB file will be received within a couple of minutes. It is in binary form and can only be read by your preferred GRIB reader.

[sinbad7]

Here's a few selected weather tools I use for MY area but most can be set up for other areas as well.

Go to site:

[sinbad7]

GRIB report of storm in the North Sea. Color easily identifies the different wind scales.

Oasis of the Seas is now right in the middle of the storm

[chala]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

For the un-initiated,this is a typical GRIB collection interface which can be linked via e-mail to collect the data within the geographical perimeters selected or automatically calculated from the map on display at the time.

I normally use this address: query@saildocs.com

Here is a typical request sentence:
grib:36S,18S,59W,26W|0.5,0.5|12,24,36,48,60,72,84, 96,108,120

The GRIB file will be received within a couple of minutes. It is in binary form and can only be read by your preferred GRIB reader.

The problem with Email based grib files here in Oz is that email can not be accessed with an Iridium satellite phone. All the Internet Services Provider that I have tried do not allow the relaying of mail. Email would be the fastest and cheapest way of getting grib file because the writting can be done offline. I presently use Ugrib and I am trying to find how accurate grib file are.

[John A]

I believe that here are at least five computer modeling services for the Caribbean alone. Each analysis is the result of the provided input subject to the whims of the programs written. These differences can be noted in the wide range of tracking forecast for Hurricains.

Hud3's advice to use these modeling services as one of many sources to interpret weather forecasting is spot on.