People are always asking me for good referral Internet sites for Ocean and Weather. Over the years and I have compiled this list for my clients.

Ocean Seminar Participants:
There is a rich resource of free information available to all who have internet. Learning how to use and interpret this information will enhance your knowledge and understanding of how the Gulf Stream and eddies work.

1. (Interactive Marine Observations) This site allows you to interrogate the buoys to obtain buoy derived sea surface temperatures. You can also get lots of meteorological information like air temp, sea level pressure, wave height, barometric pressure, etc.

2.  (Delft Ocean Current Model) This Netherlands site has an aesthetically pleasing color computer vector analysis of the north Atlantic. 1 week old, 2 week old, and 3 week old. Not entirely scientifically accurate (vectors only go as high as 2 knots. In reality, velocities can be much higher)

3. (AVHRR homepage) By far the best site on the web. High resolution, realtime, false color NOAA polar orbiting infrared satellite images covering the entire East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Also 3 and 7 day composites available, archive available for several years.

4. (IMCS Remote Sensing Lab) Second best website (next to Johns Hopkins ), realtime false color imagery covering large areas and covering 3 degree squares, too. Also visible data and drifting buoy tracks. You can determine drifter velocities by computing distance divided by time. This is particularly useful information if the buoy is in an eddy or in the Gulf Stream.

5. (Global near realtime altimetry data viewer) This gives sea surface height from the altimetry data. Warm eddies are lighter than the surrounding water and have sea heights higher (10-50 cm) than the surrounding water. Cold eddies are heavier than the surrounding water and have depressed (10-55 cm) sea surfaces. Data is usually 4-9 days old. Eddy locations pretty good, Gulf Stream location poor.

• Jenifer Clark's Gulfstream  
  • Tel 410-286-5370
  • Fax 410-286-5371
• Commander's Weather:
  • Tel 603-882-6789
  • Fax 603-882-6661
• Fleetweather, Inc.;
  • Tel 914-226-8300
  • Fax 914-226-1918
• Locus Weather:
  • Tel 207-236-3935
  • Fax 207-236-4227
• OceanRoutes:
  • Tel 408-731-2300
  • Fax 408-245-5301
• Sailing Weather Services:
  • Tel 617-926-7457
• Weather Services Corporation:
  • Tel 781-676-1000
  • Fax 781-676-1001

• Lightning - cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud, heat lightning, measuring movement of storms
• Clouds - different types, dangerous clouds, fog
• Seas - swells, wind waves, Inlet conditions, current/wind interactions
• Sea/land Breeze - wind regimes, weather conditions
• Islands/Mountains - weather and local wind conditions
• How to "Nowcast" at Sea
  A term referring to what's happening with the weather now and in the immediate future (usually 1-3 hours)
• What to use: Your eyes, weather tools, communications, computers
• What to observe: Clouds, stars, sun, moon, seas, local conditions, weather charts and forecasts, weather forecast model outputs, ocean and tidal currents, ocean temperatures, air temperature, barometric pressure and change, winds, other boats, the eyes of your crew.
• How to determine what to expect for the next few minutes or hours: Experience, some are very obvious and common sense can be used, others are more complicated and training is required
• Have a plan for all types of severe weather conditions!!

Tips & Tools

Every boat should have the following weather tools aboard:

• Thermometer (for ocean and air)
• Barometer - measures the air pressure
• Anemometer (if possible) - measures the wind speed and direction
• VHF/SS band Radio - monitor weather forecasts

Associated gear for bad weather:

• Sea Anchor - Heavy duty
• Plenty of foul weather gear
• EPRIB's (also consider personal locator devices)

Also for long passages consider:

• Satellite Phone - Several to choose from now (costs way down)
• Computer and Internet Link-ups
• Radars and weather satellite receivers

• Do include weather and ocean planning prior to any ocean passage
• Do watch weather and ocean conditions carefully several days in advance before a trip.
• Do always have a plan for severe weather and ocean conditions - you will use it someday!
• Do be prepared with the right equipment to get you through rough weather
• Don't take weather lightly
• Don't get close to tropical storms or hurricanes - play these conservatively