PRACTICAL VADEMECUM ON NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANES Hurricanes often originate from a tropical disturbance, a system with no strong winds, no close isobars and non-frontal migratory character. At its next stage of developments it becomes a tropical depression (first stage) which often forms around the Cape Verde Islands moving westwards across the North Atlantic. A [...]
During the last twenty years, meteorology has made significant progress thanks to the extraordinary contribution of satellites, modern telecommunication systems and weather models. However, despite all these technological improvements, being able to establish the forewarning signs of a weather change is still the key for a captain to determine the safest and most favourable route. [...]
Thunderstorms are one of the most important phenomena worrying a yachtsman. By looking at different weather situations, we will try to understand whether these worries are justified, analysing the risks that storms can cause to navigation. The first thing to say is that the cumulonimbus cloud (cb for short) is the one giving way to [...]
Practical rules for interpreting and speculating about wind at sea The highest priority for a mariner is to position his vessel and choose the best route in relation to the movement of weather systems. For this reason, it is important for the mariner to have a good understanding of meteorological principles. In particular, he needs [...]
BASIC KNOW-HOW OF WAVE FORECASTING In terms of weather forecast, captains and forecasters make use of a shared terminology in order to better understand each other during navigation and accurately describe the marine weather phenomena and factors. The following text gives a basic description about waves, starting with their definition, moving on to a greater [...]