Books on Weather

[Fire99]

Hi All,

Could someone suggest a good book on working out the wind force etc, from waves. I cruise often on the River Blackwater in Essex on my little 18ft Norman, and quite often it gets quite exciting around Bradwell. So i'm going to learn a bit more about what indicates a Force 4 or Force 6 etc.
Any advice would be welcome. (and yes my Little boat has been caught out in some quite heavy weather..Perhaps im training to be a life boat man)

many thanks,

Nick

 

[hlb]

Re: Si Thi!

Theres more to it than that. Depends where you are. So let say your down in Cornwall and the wind is blowing from the South West at say F5. Well it's blown it from America, so quite big waves. On the other hand. If your on a duck pond. Then no matter how hard the wind blows. It dont get to rough.
But what you want is the Beaufort scale. Not writting it all out for you but try here. http://www.greatweather.co.uk/#fore
Should find it some where.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[jfm]

You cannot work out wind force from waves, or vice versa, unless you also measure/know the fetch. In an enclosed area like a river, the fetch will be a massive limitation and you will never get big waves even in a force 12.

So it's much simpler to measure windforce directly eg with handheld anemometer. If you want to predict the wind speed from a weather chart, use the distance between isobars and the hockey stick curves at the top of the weather chart

 

[poter]

Try YBW books and search for:
Weather at sea by David Houghton ( third edition) ISBN ref 1898660492
Excellent book, loads of colour pics, real easy to understand.


poter

 

[DavidJ]

There is a great web site called http://www.franksingleton.clara.net
Just full of great practical information on weather and stuff
David

 

[stamfordian]

Re: Weather

hi,
i usually look at the wave prediction charts and buoy charts in the marine section of bbc weather gives usually a good prediction of wave heights and general direction,bouy data is accurate if a little distant from inshore waters,it,s worked for me as i have a 17ft boat which i take out into the north sea.
Hope this helps.



Nothing will change if it stays the same

 

[hlb]

Re: Weather

I usualy look in the marina winow for the forcast. Or failing that. Go out and see how big the lumps are!

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[stamfordian]

Re: Weather

Must admit always go to buoys 1 2 on the bar if too big lumps turn round stay in harbour at least get 2miles of boating in







Nothing will change if it stays the same

 

[Fire99]

Thanks everyone for the advice,
Looks like ive got lots of reading to do.
Having been out just past Bradwell and Brightlingsea during some fairly choppy weather, and having not been out further, heres a silly question..

Whats it like in the North sea during reasonable 2-4 weather?
Im intrigued but obviously wont venture too far out without being well prepared.

I know its a bit of an open question but having not gone that far before im interested.

thanks again,

Nick