Modern Marine Weather

“a thoughtfully and masterfully crafted work. it will be my prime recommendation of a book focusing specically on the application of weather information and knowledge for maritime interests, whatever the size and purpose of the vessel. david thoroughly explores the essentials  of meteorology, and does so in a fascinating manner. reading and absorbing these principles and applications will lead to safer, faster and more efcient passages.”—Jeff Renner, Meteorologist, King 5 TV, Seattle,WA

“I have chosen this book as the denitive text for the wardroom of my U.S. Navy Destroyer. Superior explanations that are as useful for the professional naval ofcer as they are for the coastal pleasure cruiser or blue water sailor. Consistent with all of David Burch’s texts: Easy to read, fascinating, and the absolute best resource.” —CDR Tate Westbrook, CO USS Spruance (DDG111)

“First class reference book on the subject of marine weather and the information it contains will help every sailor, every day!” — Peter Isler, two-time America’s Cup winning navigator

“An essential reference for the coastal and offshore sailor. It goes far beyond the traditional marine weather books. …an excellent job of laying proper foundations for understanding marine weather, and bringing clarity to a complex topic.” —Jim Corenman, developer of Saildocs and SailMail

“The denitive text for those wanting to learn more about marine meteorology. …David Burch should be applauded for this beautiful piece of work.” —Kenn Batt, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney to Hobart Race weather briefer

“An instant classic. If you own one book about weather this is it. If you want to make your own intelligent forecast and pick-up local knowledge like a local, you will nd all the information in this most excellent book.” —Philippe Kahn, CEO, FullPower Technologies, Doublehanded Transpacic record holder

“A new and truly extraordinary treatise on an age old subject. Principles and scientic conclusions expertly revealed in layman’s terms.” —Roger Jones, Director, The Navigation Foundation

“…points out where to nd the best stuff quickly,  how to read weather maps, digest storms warnings, read clouds,  interpret GRIB data and satellite winds to win yacht comfortably across an ocean.” –Bob McDavitt, New Zealand MetService

David Burch is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation in London as well as a Fellow of the
Institute of Navigation in Washington, DC, from which he received the Superior Achievement Award
for outstanding performance as a practicing navigator. He has logged more than 70,000 miles at sea,
including twelve transoceanic yacht races, with several first place victories and a passage record for
boats under 36 feet that lasted 16 years. He also navigated the only American entry in the storm-ridden
1993 Sydney to Hobart Race.
On the academic side, he is a former Fulbright Scholar with a PhD in physics. As Founding Director
of Starpath School of Navigation in Seattle he has designed courses and taken part in the teaching of
marine weather and navigation for more than 30 years. He continues to work on the development of
online training materials, which are presented at starpath.com. Articles on special topics in navigation
and weather appear at starpath.com/articles.

Table of Contents

prefaces

Acknowledgments

Foreword by Lee Chesneau

1. Introduction

1.1 overview

1.2 Role of Marine Weather

1.3 Elements of Marine Weather

1.4 Terminology and Glossaries

1.5 Wind Terms and Symbols

1.6 Quick Look at Resources

1.7 Units and Time Conversions

2. Pressure and Wind

2.1 what makes the wind

2.2 Pressure and Barometers

2.3 Properties of Highs and Lows

2.4 Figuring Winds from Isobars

2.5 Apparent Wind to True Wind

2.6 Getting Started on GRIB Forecasts

3. Global Winds and Currents

3.1 warm air rises

3.2 Hadley Cells and Global Winds

3.3 Winds Aloft

3.4 The Atmosphere, Air Masses, and Stability

3.5 Water—Fuel of the Atmosphere

3.6 Primary Ocean Currents

3.7 Ocean Current Models

4. Strong Wind Systems

4.1 introduction to strong wind

4.2 Satellite Winds

4.3 Fronts and Low Formation

4.4 Types of Lows

4.5 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

4.6 Squalls

4.7 Sides of a Tropical Storm

4.8 Storm Avoidance Maneuvering

5. Clouds, Fog, and Sea State

5.1 cloud notes for mariners

5.2 Sample Cloud Pictures

5.3 Fog

5.4 Wave Notes of Mariners

6. Wind and Terrain

6.1 the varied effects of land on wind

6.2 Isobars Crossing Channels

6.3 Wind Forecasts Near Land

7. Working With Weather Maps

7.1 overview of weather maps

7.2 Using Weather Maps

7.3 Practice Reading Weather Maps

7.4 Georeferencing Image Files

7.5 Global and Regional Models

7.6 Use of 500-mb Map

7.7 Ship Reports

8. Sources of Weather Data

8.1 overview 240

8.2 Climatic Sources for Voyage Planning

8.3 Weather by Email

8.4 Real Time Obvservations

8.5 Weather Communications at Sea

8.6 Zone Forecasts by Email

8.7 Miscellaneous Sources

9. On-board Forecasting and Tactics

9.1 instruments and logbook procedures

9.2 Onboard Forecasting

9.3 Onboard Forecasting of Tropical Storms

9.4 Old Sayings Explained

9.5 Mariner's Checklist

10. Special Topics

10.1 southern hemisphere weather

10.2 Monsoons

10.3 Blocking Highs

10.4 Sailing Routes to Hawaii

10.5 Chen-Chesneau 500-mb Routing Zones

10.6 Modern Pilot Chart Data

10.7 Optimum Sailboat Routing

Appendix

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