Unit 4: Weather Forecasting and Reporting System

Symbols used on Weather Fax Charts:

Synoptic Charts: The word 'Synoptic' simply means a summary of the current situation. In weather terms, this means
the pressure pattern, fronts, wind direction and speed and how they will change and evolve over the coming few
days.
Synoptic Charts aka Surface Analyses charts are generated 4 times a day at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC for
each ocean. Pacific and Atlantic Ocean areas are two charts with a 10° longitude overlap (between 165W and 175W
in the Pacific Ocean, and between 50W and 60W in the Atlantic Ocean). They show the weather experienced at each
land and ship station, all pressure systems, isobars, wind directions, fronts, frontal depressions. By studying these
charts, the Master is expected to size up the overall situation and take any urgent steps that may be necessary to
ensure the safety of his vessel.
Details shown on Surface Analysis Charts:
● Isobars at 4mb interval
● Central pressure millibar values
● Bold 3 or 4 digit placed adjacent to L or H
● 24hr forecast position of Low is shown with letter ‘X’ and of High with a circled ‘X’.
● Significant weather system are labeled Gale, Storm, Developing Gale of Storm (within next 24 hours).

Prognostic Charts: In simple terms, Prognosis means "forecast". A prognostic chart is a map displaying the likely
weather forecast for a future time. Prognostic Charts aka Prebaratic Charts are generated by atmospheric models
as output from numerical weather prediction and contain a variety of information such as temperature, wind,
precipitation and weather fronts. Surface weather prognostic charts for mariners indicate the positions of high and
low pressure areas, as well as frontal zones, up to five days into the future. Surface wind direction and speed is also
forecast on this type of chart. Wave prognostic charts show the expected sea state at some future time.
These charts contain same type of information as weather analysis chart but predicted for a specified future time.
The future time may be made 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 96 hours or 120 hours in advance of the
weather analysis chart. These charts are essential for weather routeing of vessels. These charts are compiled by a
professional meteorologist after studying weather analysis chart, upper air charts, thickness charts, atmospheric
change of pressure charts etc. and taking into account various other factors. Construction of these prognosis
charts needs deep knowledge of weather prediction and expertise gained over several years of study of the weather
in that ocean.

Importance of Ships Weather Observations:

A Weather Report is generated through sequential and iterative process that goes on 24 X 7 like-
1. Observation Continuous weather data collection by observation platforms at sea, ashore and in the sky and
transmission to shore meteorological offices at least every 6 hours.
2. Analysis This data is plotted on maps and charts and analyzed in shore weather stations by experts using super
computers.
3. Prediction Based on analysis, experts ashore make forecasts and promulgate them using latest radio technology
for various types of users of which a ship at sea is one.
Weather observation is the first critical step for making a correct weather forecast. Ships observations are especially
important in the preparation of the surface weather chart. Isobars, which are crucial for defining and delineating all
weather systems, cannot be drawn over marine areas without ship reports.
Ships observations are used by meteorologists to evaluate local weather conditions, and to locate and determine the
strength of weather systems such as fronts, air masses, high and low pressure systems, tropical storms, and
hurricanes which greatly affect ships at sea. Ships observations are not only important for weather forecasts at sea,
but also for forecasts over land areas, because marine weather systems often move inland. Accurate marine data is
also used to prepare long range forecasts of climate, temperature, and precipitation, in the monitoring of climatic
change, ocean currents, and eddies, and to study the interaction of air and sea. This is important for agriculture,
industrial planning, ship routing, fishing, and many other activities. Pilot charts and climatological atlases of the
oceans are largely based on observations from ships.
Your weather observations will also help you interpret the forecast and changes in weather that occur at your
position or along your route. If you are operating from a data-sparse area, please report weather regularly. An
inaccurate observation can mislead the forecaster and result in an incorrect forecast. On the other hand, a reliable
observation can hold the key to an obscure or complex meteorological condition. A few inaccurate observations by a
ship can bias results and cause erroneous conclusions. A researcher has little to go by when deciding about the
accuracy of a particular observation, and must depend on the competence of the observer aboard ship.
More the number of & more accurate observations result in more authentic and accurate analysis and forecasting.
The Flow of Information between ship and shore:
Give and take of information and data between Ships and Meteorological Organizations ashore occur in following
three ways-
1) Ship Weather Reports from Ships to Shore Meteorological Stations
2) From Shore Meteorological Stations to Ships
3) Routing Instructions from Shore Meteorological Stations (Governmental / Private) to Ships and Owners

Onboard analysis of Weather Forecast and Reports received at sea:

Use of Weather Warning- Warnings demands immediate action in face of likely weather danger. . Use of Weather
Synopsis. A mariner should compare the Weather report with actual weather to confirm its accuracy. If there is a
major variance, a Master should make a plain language safety message to the nearest weather station which would
subsequently benefits other ships in vicinity. For example, the Weather report may have missed out formation of a
TRS which only a person at sea can sense, if he has the knowledge and skill to understand the contra signs.
Forecasts help a mariner to decide whether to face the forthcoming weather or sidestep it. In case the mariner
decided to go through the area of predicted rough weather, the forecast helps the mariner to prepare in advance.
Weather Reports help to enhance safety against rough weather. Consequences of neglecting Weather Forecasts
and Reports can be disastrous and there have been a number of cases in maritime history, where ships have
vanished without a trace with the loss of all hands onboard e.g. M. V. Derbyshire.
The Voluntary Observing Fleet Program:
World Meteorological Organization recommends that each Government recruits a number of Merchant ships for
Voluntary Observing Fleet (VOF). The VOF program was recognized in 1948 in the International Convention For The
Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) where it was stated that ‘The Contracting Governments undertake to encourage the
collection of meteorological data by ships at sea and to arrange for their examination, dissemination and exchange
in the manner most suitable for the purpose of aiding navigation. Administrations shall encourage the use of
instruments of a high degree of accuracy, and shall facilitate the checking of such instruments upon request.’
The Indian VOF program, conducted under the leadership of the Indian Meteorological Department, consists of
Indian flag ships and foreign flag vessels which frequent Indian Ports. VOF ships make weather report at fixed UTC
(GMT) called ‘Synoptic Hours’ which are 0000, 0600, 1200 & 1800 UTC. Ships are provided with Meteorological
equipment free of cost by their respective flag states. Ships also send Weather messages free of cost (the Flag state
pays). Selected Ships supplied with sufficient certified meteorological instruments and transmits observations in full
code consisting of 18 to 21 groups. Supplementary Ships supplied with limited number of certified meteorological
instruments, transmit observations in abbreviated form of code consisting of 12 or more groups.
Equipment Carried by VFO Ships-
1) Selected Ship
● Barometer
● Whirling Psychrometer
● Weekly Barograph
● Sea Thermometer
● Marine Bucket
2) Supplementary Ship
● Barometer
● Whirling Psychomotor