Visual Storm Warnings - also posted MOBO Forum

[martinwoolwich]

I am currently lying in St Hellier Marina waiting out the worst of the coming weather for the next few days. I've noticed on Fort Region they are flying day signals indicating these storms. I've not seen this before but know that the cone pointing down indicates a storm from a southerly quarter, but it also has a ball beneath it. What does the ball signify?

What other day signals are there and what do they mean ?

I also know that this is not very common these days but am asking as a matter of interest



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[tillergirl]

Looked it up in MacMillians - nothing about a ball in Storm Warnings for the British Isles. A black ball hoisted in France, Belgium, Netherlands or Germany would mean the gale is expected from any direction!

Mystery to me.

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[BrendanS]

Suspect might be cone.... and square apex up (rather than ball)? See post on similar thread on Mobo

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[AndrewB]

I think that storm signals are for the most part local, often to the port, sometimes to the country, with few internationally uniform signals.

One cone though is universally used to indicate a forecast gale, F8-9, and two cones or a cone above a drum to indicate a storm (F10+). The cones point up or down depending on whether the gale/storm is expected from the northern or southern semi-circle.

I have a recollection that some UK ports once used a ball to signify a forecast near-gale, F7, essentially a small boat advisory. Balls are also used in some places to indicate that a harbour is closed due to weather.

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[Eccles]

As you have said the cone indicates North or South quater.
The Cone on its own indicates Storm warning, & with a ball indicates Strong Wind warning.

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