royal yacht squadron weather and communications day getting non gmdss weather information tim...
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Royal Yacht SquadronRoyal Yacht SquadronWeather and Weather and
Communications DayCommunications Day
Getting non GMDSS Weather InformationGetting non GMDSS Weather InformationTim ThorntonTim Thornton
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Getting Weather on BoardGetting Weather on Board
Broadcast ServicesBroadcast Services
WeatherFaxWeatherFax
RTTYRTTY
SYNOPSYNOP
Internet ServicesInternet Services
Web browsingWeb browsing
GRIB filesGRIB files
Weather ServicesWeather Services
Future trendsFuture trends
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
WeatherfaxWeatherfax
Weather maps transmitted over MF/HF SSB radio at Weather maps transmitted over MF/HF SSB radio at
scheduled timesscheduled times
Offenbach and Northwood in EuropeOffenbach and Northwood in Europe
Needs PC software or dedicated receiverNeeds PC software or dedicated receiver
Takes 10-15 minutes to receive a faxTakes 10-15 minutes to receive a fax
Needs some practice selecting the best frequency, Needs some practice selecting the best frequency,
tuning the radio and receiving the faxtuning the radio and receiving the fax
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
WeatherfaxWeatherfax
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
RTTYRTTY
Text weather forecasts transmitted over MF/HF SSB Text weather forecasts transmitted over MF/HF SSB
radio at scheduled timesradio at scheduled times
Offenbach in EuropeOffenbach in Europe
Needs PC software to decodeNeeds PC software to decode
Needs some practice selecting the best frequency, Needs some practice selecting the best frequency,
tuning the radio and receiving the faxtuning the radio and receiving the fax
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
SYNOPSYNOP
Encoded current weather reports sent as RTTYEncoded current weather reports sent as RTTY
Offenbach in EuropeOffenbach in Europe
Useful to give very detailed current reports from ships Useful to give very detailed current reports from ships
etcetc
Needs PC software to decode and plotNeeds PC software to decode and plot
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
SYNOPSYNOP
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather SatelliteWeather Satellite
Direct reception of satellites images as they Direct reception of satellites images as they
pass overheadpass overhead
Visible and infra-red imagesVisible and infra-red images
No forecastsNo forecasts
Worldwide coverage, no costWorldwide coverage, no cost
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather SatelliteWeather Satellite
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Sources of Internet DataSources of Internet Data
Current weather reports e.g. weather Current weather reports e.g. weather stations, weather camsstations, weather cams
Remote sensingRemote sensing Forecast mapsForecast maps Weather Portals – One stop shopsWeather Portals – One stop shops Forecast data e.g. GRIBForecast data e.g. GRIB Weather routingWeather routing Commercial services Commercial services
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Web BrowsingWeb Browsing
Many sites availableMany sites available
Current weather reports and forecastsCurrent weather reports and forecasts
Downloads can be slow e.g. slow web servers or large graphics Downloads can be slow e.g. slow web servers or large graphics
filesfiles
Save sites in your favourites instead of searching when using Save sites in your favourites instead of searching when using
mobile communicationsmobile communications
Can be cheaper to use a paid for commercial service as files are Can be cheaper to use a paid for commercial service as files are
much smallermuch smaller
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather ReportsWeather Reports
Weather station reportsWeather station reports Weather buoysWeather buoys Reporting ShipsReporting Ships Weather camsWeather cams
Check the time of the weather reports.Check the time of the weather reports.
Beware of local effects, and the location of Beware of local effects, and the location of the station relative to youthe station relative to you
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
US NWS – Worldwide US NWS – Worldwide ReportsReports
http://http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/GB_cc.htmweather.noaa.gov/weather/GB_cc.htmll
See weather reports for land based See weather reports for land based weather stations worldwideweather stations worldwide
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
US NDBC – Ships, weather US NDBC – Ships, weather buoys etcbuoys etc
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search.phtmlhttp://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search.phtml
Search for all weather reports within a given distance and time periodSearch for all weather reports within a given distance and time periodSee all reports with latest dataSee all reports with latest dataSee the history of data at weather buoysSee the history of data at weather buoys
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Local StationsLocal Stations
Many local stations appearing, e.g. Many local stations appearing, e.g. BrambleMet, Cowes, St Catherines Pt BrambleMet, Cowes, St Catherines Pt
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather CamsWeather Camshttp://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams/world.htmlhttp://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams/world.html
Live images showing the weather at various locationsLive images showing the weather at various locationsOften with current weather data as wellOften with current weather data as well
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Remote SensingRemote SensingWeather satellite images and derived productsWeather satellite images and derived productsVisible and infra-red images for cloud type and height, sea surface temperature, ocean currents available Visible and infra-red images for cloud type and height, sea surface temperature, ocean currents available
real timereal timeDerived products: wind, wave, current etc very useful (particularly over sea areas) Derived products: wind, wave, current etc very useful (particularly over sea areas) Coverage and speed of delivery needs improving for some productsCoverage and speed of delivery needs improving for some productswww.sat.dundee.ac.ukwww.sat.dundee.ac.uk
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Pseudo Colour ImagePseudo Colour Image
Resolution 1kmResolution 1km Images up to every Images up to every
15 minutes15 minutes White – high cloud; White – high cloud;
yellow – low cloudyellow – low cloud Can show sea breeze Can show sea breeze
frontfront
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Sea Surface TemperatureSea Surface Temperature Needs no clouds!Needs no clouds! Land/sea temperatures Land/sea temperatures
help predict sea and help predict sea and land breezesland breezes
Sea and low air temp Sea and low air temp help predict end of help predict end of inversioninversion
Gulf Stream & other Gulf Stream & other currentscurrents
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Wind Speed and DirectionWind Speed and Direction Satellite pass twice dailySatellite pass twice daily Data 1-2 hours old when Data 1-2 hours old when
processedprocessed Wind direction can be 90 Wind direction can be 90
deg out at timesdeg out at times Can show local Can show local
behaviours not shown by behaviours not shown by forecastsforecasts
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Numerical ForecastsNumerical Forecasts All forecasts based on numerical modelsAll forecasts based on numerical models Manual forecaster input only useful for first 1-Manual forecaster input only useful for first 1-
2 days2 days Synoptic models for global weather forecasts Synoptic models for global weather forecasts
(e.g. GFS, WW3, ECMWF)(e.g. GFS, WW3, ECMWF) Mesoscale models for higher resolution local Mesoscale models for higher resolution local
forecasts (e.g. ETA, Theyr, HIRLAM, MM5). forecasts (e.g. ETA, Theyr, HIRLAM, MM5). These can better model fronts, sea breezes, These can better model fronts, sea breezes, mountain winds etcmountain winds etc
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather MapsWeather Maps
Many sites have weather maps for viewingMany sites have weather maps for viewing Typically generated automatically from Typically generated automatically from
numerical modelsnumerical models Sites may use the same data source but just Sites may use the same data source but just
presented differentlypresented differently Images can be large, so slow to downloadImages can be large, so slow to download Viewing relatively inflexibleViewing relatively inflexible
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather Map SitesWeather Map Sites
Westwind – www.westwind.ch - searchable Westwind – www.westwind.ch - searchable database of all European datadatabase of all European data
FNMOC – aipswebu1.fnmoc.navy.mil – FNMOC – aipswebu1.fnmoc.navy.mil – NOGAPS worldwide modelNOGAPS worldwide model
Theyr – high resolution forecasts – Theyr – high resolution forecasts – www.theyr.net or www.theyr.tvwww.theyr.net or www.theyr.tv
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Westwind ExampleWestwind Example
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather PortalsWeather Portals
Sites where a mass of weather data from Sites where a mass of weather data from various sources is brought togethervarious sources is brought together
Weather Underground www.wunderground.comWeather Underground www.wunderground.com
Weather Online www.weatheronline.co.ukWeather Online www.weatheronline.co.uk
Westwind – www.westwind.chWestwind – www.westwind.ch
BBC – www.bbc.co.uk/weatherBBC – www.bbc.co.uk/weather
UK Met Office – www.metoffice.comUK Met Office – www.metoffice.com
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
GRIB FilesGRIB Files
Standard file format displayed by many chart plottersStandard file format displayed by many chart plotters
Download numerical data – faster than imagesDownload numerical data – faster than images
Free data: 1 or 0.5 degree, 3 or 6 hour resolution of wind, Free data: 1 or 0.5 degree, 3 or 6 hour resolution of wind,
pressure etcpressure etc
Use tools like Saildocs or download from sites like RaymarineUse tools like Saildocs or download from sites like Raymarine
Higher resolution data at a charge e.g. Meteo France NaviMail, Higher resolution data at a charge e.g. Meteo France NaviMail,
ProGribProGrib
Each file is standalone, so cannot combine downloadsEach file is standalone, so cannot combine downloads
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Free GRIB File SourcesFree GRIB File Sources
Raytech – www.raymarine.com (3 day fcsts)Raytech – www.raymarine.com (3 day fcsts)Navcenter.com – Navcenter.com –
www.navcenter.com/newdwnld.ccmlwww.navcenter.com/newdwnld.ccmlMaxsea – Chopper tool for e-mail service (up to Maxsea – Chopper tool for e-mail service (up to
15 day fcsts)15 day fcsts)Global Marine Net – Global Marine Net –
www.globalmarinenet.net/grib.htm (5 day www.globalmarinenet.net/grib.htm (5 day fcsts)fcsts)
Saildocs – www.saildocs.com - e-mail serviceSaildocs – www.saildocs.com - e-mail serviceGrib US - www.grib.us – web downloadGrib US - www.grib.us – web download
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
GRIB FilesGRIB Files
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
NowcastingNowcasting
Stand-alone weather programStand-alone weather program
Coverage Europe (inc. Med) and CaribbeanCoverage Europe (inc. Med) and Caribbean
Detailed short term wind and wave forecastsDetailed short term wind and wave forecasts
Fast downloads from the internetFast downloads from the internet
Easy to useEasy to use
Cost £25/monthCost £25/month
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
NowcastingNowcasting
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Bon VoyageBon Voyage
Stand-alone weather programStand-alone weather program
Worldwide coverageWorldwide coverage
Comprehensive 4 or 9 day forecastsComprehensive 4 or 9 day forecasts
Data sent by e-mail dailyData sent by e-mail daily
Basic passage planning toolsBasic passage planning tools
Cost approx. £5/day for 30 days of 4 day forecasts, Cost approx. £5/day for 30 days of 4 day forecasts,
£7/day for 9 day forecasts£7/day for 9 day forecasts
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Bon VoyageBon Voyage
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Moving WeatherMoving Weather
New service launched at London Boat ShowNew service launched at London Boat Show
Uses low-res GFS data, but interpolates to make it seem betterUses low-res GFS data, but interpolates to make it seem better
Simple and easy to useSimple and easy to use
Good for overview or long passages, but not detailed enough Good for overview or long passages, but not detailed enough
for coastal sailingfor coastal sailing
Cost £25 for the software, and up to £125/year for the forecastsCost £25 for the software, and up to £125/year for the forecasts
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Digital AtmosphereDigital Atmosphere
Software for downloading, decoding and viewing current Software for downloading, decoding and viewing current
weather reportsweather reports
Also displays GRIB filesAlso displays GRIB files
A huge variety of data is available, but some of it is too A huge variety of data is available, but some of it is too
technical for the average sailortechnical for the average sailor
Simple and easy to useSimple and easy to use
Not as much data for Europe as for USA, due to different Not as much data for Europe as for USA, due to different
government policiesgovernment policies
Cost from US$89 for the software, downloads free dataCost from US$89 for the software, downloads free data
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Digital AtmosphereDigital Atmosphere
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
SmartMetSmartMet Combines forecasts, satellite imagery, current Combines forecasts, satellite imagery, current
weather reportsweather reports Developed as part of the European Space Agency Developed as part of the European Space Agency
MIDAS projectMIDAS project Small, fast downloads – smaller than GRIBSmall, fast downloads – smaller than GRIB Integrated database, no problems of separate Integrated database, no problems of separate
filesfiles GRIB import and exportGRIB import and export Launched in January this yearLaunched in January this year Mobile phone and web versions to followMobile phone and web versions to follow Subscription £49/yearSubscription £49/year
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
MIDAS DataMIDAS Data GFS and Theyr weather forecastsGFS and Theyr weather forecasts WW3 nwave forecasts and MFS Med surface WW3 nwave forecasts and MFS Med surface
current forecastscurrent forecasts Quickscat wind reportsQuickscat wind reports SYNOP ship and weather buoy reportsSYNOP ship and weather buoy reports Satellite imagery from Meteosat 8, NOAA and Satellite imagery from Meteosat 8, NOAA and
MODIS satellitesMODIS satellites Detailed forecasts for Europe, standard Detailed forecasts for Europe, standard
forecasts for the worldforecasts for the world
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Weather RoutingWeather Routing
Calculating the quickest route to sailCalculating the quickest route to sailInputs:Inputs:- Your boat’s polarsYour boat’s polars- Tidal streams / ocean currentsTidal streams / ocean currents- Forecast winds (GRIB file)Forecast winds (GRIB file)Outputs:Outputs:- Optimal routeOptimal route- IsochronesIsochronesPrograms: Maxsea, seaPro, Raytech, DeckmanPrograms: Maxsea, seaPro, Raytech, Deckman
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Maxsea RoutingMaxsea Routing
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
Future DevelopmentsFuture Developments
Continued move away from tools like Continued move away from tools like weatherfax and Navtex to internet weatherfax and Navtex to internet based systemsbased systems
Increase in integrated weather servicesIncrease in integrated weather services Better integration of all information on Better integration of all information on
board- e-navigationboard- e-navigation Enhanced communications management Enhanced communications management
from the vessel to the internetfrom the vessel to the internet
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
ALISALIS A research project sponsored by Galileo looking at A research project sponsored by Galileo looking at
marine location based servicesmarine location based services Sophisticated tools for managing data downloads and Sophisticated tools for managing data downloads and
minimising download sizesminimising download sizes Automatic push of user selected data, e.g. chart Automatic push of user selected data, e.g. chart
corrections for my charts in my sailing area, or send corrections for my charts in my sailing area, or send me a weather forecast if the wind will exceed 25 knotsme a weather forecast if the wind will exceed 25 knots
Interest from MCA, UKHO due to parallels with e-Interest from MCA, UKHO due to parallels with e-navigation in commercial shippingnavigation in commercial shipping
Initial research project drawing to a close, now Initial research project drawing to a close, now assessing commercial developmentassessing commercial development
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
ALIS dataALIS data Trials run in central English Channel, Denmark Trials run in central English Channel, Denmark
and French Rivieraand French Riviera Data sets:Data sets: MIDAS/Smartmet weather, shipping forecastsMIDAS/Smartmet weather, shipping forecasts Navigation warningsNavigation warnings Chart correctionsChart corrections Almanacs, sailing instructions and supplier Almanacs, sailing instructions and supplier
databasesdatabases See www.alismarine.com to use the prototype See www.alismarine.com to use the prototype
systemsystem
March 2007 Smartcom Software Ltd
ConclusionsConclusions Huge amounts of data out thereHuge amounts of data out there Research the data that meets your needs before going afloatResearch the data that meets your needs before going afloat Trade-off of cost of data against level of detail, reliability and comms costsTrade-off of cost of data against level of detail, reliability and comms costs Always compare the forecast with what you observe!Always compare the forecast with what you observe!