franksingleton
Well-Known Member
In the 1970s, I authored the RYA A4 book that included the Metmaps with guidance on how to use them plus some basic meteorology. . There was a cassette tape (remember those) with forecasts for the student to use as examples. There were pictures of clouds to relate to the forecasts. It was a child of its time as, then, the shipping forecast was the main source of weather information. It was when there were weather actuals after every forecast and not just the midnight and early morning broadcast.
I found it interesting and a little surprising that Simon Keeling resurrected the idea. Perhaps I should find it gratifying that he thought the process was worthwhile advocating. Also, that several of you seem the find the idea still to be relevant.
For many years now my sailing has been almost entirely outside the UK. I have seen inshore waters forecasts, UK, French, Spanish, notably, become available. The UK and Ireland are probably the best, especially as HMCG and the Irish CG update them 4 times a day in 8 broadcasts. I have seen NACTEX develop with the national frequency carrying inshore forecasts. I have not sailed in any other country where either is the case. I have seen the Internet develop with the availability of GRIB data. I have seen the availability of weather radar data, lightning data and satellite pictures. I have seen the on-line availability of weather actuals improve. Mind you, I have also seen the dumbing down of the presentation of weather actuals by the Met Office.
Even were I sailing in UK coastal waters, I would not be using or advocating use of the Metmaps. I would be emphasising continual monitoring of HMCG VHF, use of GRIB data and, most importantly, use of commonsense and experience in what to expect from the forecasts.
I practice what I preach – in Reeds weather Handbook.
I found it interesting and a little surprising that Simon Keeling resurrected the idea. Perhaps I should find it gratifying that he thought the process was worthwhile advocating. Also, that several of you seem the find the idea still to be relevant.
For many years now my sailing has been almost entirely outside the UK. I have seen inshore waters forecasts, UK, French, Spanish, notably, become available. The UK and Ireland are probably the best, especially as HMCG and the Irish CG update them 4 times a day in 8 broadcasts. I have seen NACTEX develop with the national frequency carrying inshore forecasts. I have not sailed in any other country where either is the case. I have seen the Internet develop with the availability of GRIB data. I have seen the availability of weather radar data, lightning data and satellite pictures. I have seen the on-line availability of weather actuals improve. Mind you, I have also seen the dumbing down of the presentation of weather actuals by the Met Office.
Even were I sailing in UK coastal waters, I would not be using or advocating use of the Metmaps. I would be emphasising continual monitoring of HMCG VHF, use of GRIB data and, most importantly, use of commonsense and experience in what to expect from the forecasts.
I practice what I preach – in Reeds weather Handbook.
