Learn Weather for sailing?

[PDA1]

Can any of you folks recommend a good instructional manual, book or website that teaches about weather and interpretation of a weather report one would encounter while sailing (or on land for that matter)? Lately, I've takent to downloading and studying Grib weather reports using ZyGrib.

Also, I need to know how to handle weather matters while making passages.

[jackdale]

You might also learn to read weatherfaxes.

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/UsersGuide/UG.pdf

I get the web version for the Pacific Northeast Pacific WX Briefing Package

Where are you?

[PDA1]

Those look very helpful. I'll study them at length.

Jackdale, while off shore (out of cell phone range) do you download the wxfaxes?

Do you then print them out or just view them on your computer?

Does QRN, QRM effect the resulting received quality of the wxfaxes?

The schedule for noaa wxfax indicates transmission frequencies for Day and night. All of the transmission times are in UTC. By "Day" and "Night" do they mean time relative to UTC?

Thank you for the help.

[Teknav]

ALL pilots must study weather forecast interpretation and are examined on it, prior to earning their license. Look up (cheap/used) books on "weather for pilots" at Amazon. com; a few are published by the FAA. These books cover everything you'll ever need about weather, and some! Mauritz

[ReMetau]

Check out the weather course that may be offered by your local Power Squadron.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by PDA1

Those look very helpful. I'll study them at length.

Jackdale, while off shore (out of cell phone range) do you download the wxfaxes?

Do you then print them out or just view them on your computer?

We use a SSB attached to a computer to download weatherfax. You can print them, although I am getting used to viewing some of them sideways.

You can also use a shortwave radio.

[zeehag]

you might want to learn a little geology so you can understand the meaning of allthe info you glean in weatherfaxes--topography and shaping of landmasses is not unimportant in the weather info gathering.... have fun with it---

[Randyonr3]

For a start, pick up a copy of Instant Weather Forecasting by Alan Watts,
It will get you throu the major part..

Also, grab a copy of pardeys book of heave weather tactics....
Think that the name of it, good info for a book.

[conachair]

Masses in here..

https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_detail.php?

Havwe a dig around you'll probably find quite a bit of relevant stuff.

Also quite a few weatherfax threads from this forum, worth a read as well..

Let me google that for you

Grab a bucket of coffee & enjoy

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by zeehag

you might want to learn a little geology so you can understand the meaning of allthe info you glean in weatherfaxes--topography and shaping of landmasses is not unimportant in the weather info gathering.... have fun with it---

That is excellent advice, especially for coastal cruising. Understanding onshore and offshore breezes is essential. In the PNW I use a couple of publications that discuss local weather hazards.

[PDA1]

Thank you, all, for the advice.

What I'm trying to do is minimize wasted time in learning about weather.

At my age (don't ask) I can pretty well guess what the weather will be for the next 24 hours while I'm on land. On the water is different and weather changes appear to be faster and often more severe.

The Pardy's site has this short story about weather-

Weather Routers Advice to Cruisers | Lin & Larry Pardey: Newsletters & Cruising Tips

That seems to be a good start too. It mentions the Watts book.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by PDA1

What I'm trying to do is minimize wasted time in learning about weather.

I am always learning about weather.

[carstenb]

Time spent learning about weather on the ocean is never wasted.

Originally Posted by PDA1

Thank you, all, for the advice.

What I'm trying to do is minimize wasted time in learning about weather.

At my age (don't ask) I can pretty well guess what the weather will be for the next 24 hours while I'm on land. On the water is different and weather changes appear to be faster and often more severe.

The Pardy's site has this short story about weather-

Weather Routers Advice to Cruisers | Lin & Larry Pardey: Newsletters & Cruising Tips

That seems to be a good start too. It mentions the Watts book.