Marine forecast information

Weather forecasts are extremely important for both sailors and divers with the latest information of crucial importance for both comfort and safety.

Information is broadcast at regular intervals and provides details of current conditions and expected weather for the next few hours. This information can be obtained fairly easily and added to observations that you can make before you take to the sea.

The Shipping Forecast

Shipping forecasts are broadcast each day on BBC Radio 4 FM (92.4 - 94.6 MHz) at 05.55, 13.55, 17.50 and 00.48 hours. Each bulletin contains 350 words and begins with warnings of gales (when issued) followed by a general summary of current weather conditions:

Gale Warnings

There are warnings of gales in sea areas Plymouth, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Finisterre and Biscay......

Lundy, Fastnet; South Westerly 7, increasing gale 8 imminent
Plymouth; South Westerly 8, occasionally 9 imminent Sole, Finisterre; West 8, decreasing 7 soon

Low Southern Irish Sea 978 moving rapidly expected Forth 985 by 1900 Saturday. High Azores 1030 slow moving with little change

and then moves on to give forecasts for the various sea areas around the UK.

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Dover, Wight, Portland
South Westerly 5 or 6, occasionally 7. Showers. Moderate or good

The forecast for sea areas around the UK is followed by reports from coastal weather stations - a series of reports in a clockwise order around the UK.

The current marine forecast can be downloaded from the Met. Office internet site:

• Inshore weather forecast
  
• Gale Warnings
  

Shipping Speak

The shipping forecast contains a number of unusual terms, used to convey specific meanings.......

Gales