Module 13 - Meteorology
Sources of Weather Information
BBC Radio 4 currently carries the Shipping Forecast at 0048 and 0520 every day, with an additional 1754 broadcast at weekends. The Inshore Waters Forecast follows the early broadcasts at about 0055 and 0527. Broadcast schedules can change, so verify the current Met Office or BBC schedule. Use Inshore Waters for near-coastal passages and wider sources when conditions may differ offshore.
Other sources include: NAVTEX (automatic text receiver on 518 kHz for MSI), VHF Coastguard forecasts (scheduled broadcasts on local channels), Met Office website and app, and marina/harbour forecasts displayed locally. GRIB files provide downloadable gridded weather data for offshore and multi-day passages.
- Shipping Forecast: currently 0048 and 0520 daily, plus 1754 at weekends; verify the schedule
- Inshore Waters follows the early broadcasts at about 0055 and 0527; verify the schedule
- Coastguard: scheduled VHF broadcasts on local channels
- NAVTEX: automatic text weather receiver (518 kHz)
- Met Office website and app: detailed coastal forecasts
- GRIB files: gridded data for offshore/multi-day passage planning
Practice weather decisions
The meteorology module links forecasts, Beaufort force, pressure systems, fronts, and practical passage choices.