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Module 13 of 17

Meteorology

Shipping forecasts, Beaufort scale, weather systems, and broadcast meteorological information.

Shipping forecast terms and Beaufort scaleSources of broadcast meteorological informationHighs, lows and fronts

Lesson summaries

Use this module hub to choose the right lesson, then open the dedicated lesson page for the complete explanation, worked examples, FAQs, and practice questions.

Weather and the Sailor

Weather is one of the most critical factors in safe seamanship. Wind strength and direction determine sailing conditions, sea state affects comfort and safety, and visibility impacts navi...

  • Check the weather forecast BEFORE every passage
  • Monitor conditions and forecasts throughout the passage
Read the full weather and the sailor lesson

The Beaufort Scale

The Beaufort Scale describes wind force from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). It links wind speed in knots to the conditions you can observe at sea, such as wave size, whitecaps, spray, and wh...

  • Force 0: Calm (< 1 knot), sea like a mirror
  • Force 3: Gentle breeze (7–10 kn), large wavelets
Read the full the beaufort scale lesson

Shipping Forecast Terminology

The BBC Shipping Forecast covers 31 sea areas around the British Isles. It reports wind direction (the direction it blows FROM), wind speed (in Beaufort scale), weather (rain, fog, etc.),...

  • Veering = wind shifting clockwise
  • Backing = wind shifting anticlockwise
Read the full shipping forecast terminology lesson

Pressure Systems

High pressure (anticyclone) brings generally settled, fair weather with light winds. Wind circulates clockwise around a high in the northern hemisphere. Low pressure (depression or cyclon...

  • High pressure = fair weather, light winds, clockwise circulation (N hemisphere)
  • Low pressure = unsettled, windy, anticlockwise circulation (N hemisphere)
Read the full pressure systems lesson

Fronts

A warm front marks the leading edge of warm air advancing over cold air. It brings a gradual deterioration: high cirrus cloud, then lower cloud, steady rain, poor visibility, and a rise i...

  • Warm front: gradual deterioration, steady rain, poor vis, temp rises, wind veers
  • Cold front: sharper change, heavy rain, squally, temp drops, vis improves after
Read the full fronts lesson

Sources of Weather Information

BBC Radio 4 broadcasts the Shipping Forecast at 0048, 0520, 1201, and 1754. The Inshore Waters Forecast (for within 12nm of the coast) is broadcast at 0048 and 0535 on Radio 4, and is oft...

  • Shipping Forecast: BBC Radio 4 at 0048, 0520, 1201, 1754
  • Inshore Waters Forecast: Radio 4 at 0048, 0535 (most relevant for Day Skippers)
Read the full sources of weather information lesson

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