Category Archives: Meteorology

Tropical Cyclone Wind Speed probability graphic

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

In addition to the familiar National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) hurricane track forecast with it’s iconic cone, the NHC also produces a wind speed probabilities graphic. Continue reading →

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Hurricane Force storms over North Atlantic Shipping Lanes

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

A strong 500 mb jet is setting up west to east across the North Atlantic over the next couple of days near 40N latitude. This will favor strong storm development across the main North Atlantic shipping lanes.  Expecting storm to … Continue reading →

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Use of the 500 mb Chart at Sea

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

The 500mb forecast chart is an excellent tool for mariners to estimate where to anticipate the heaviest sea and swell conditions as well as a guide to the expected surface storm tracks and intensities.  The closer the height contours on … Continue reading →

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Tale of Two Hemispheres

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

Interesting split in SST temperatures for the Northern Hemisphere vs. the Southern Hemisphere.  The Northern Hemisphere SST anomaly is predominately warmer than normal while the Southern Hemisphere appears to be mostly cooler than normal. NOAA Global SST Anomaly https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/sst/anomaly/2019/anomnight.8.8.2019.gif   … Continue reading →

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What does a “Gale Warning” mean?

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Fred Pickhardt

The National Weather Service has developed a multi-tier concept for forecasting hazardous weather which includes outlooks, watches, warnings and advisories.  Below are the visual day flag and nighttime light signals that warn of rough weather.  NOAA discontinued using the flags in … Continue reading →

Posted in Meteorology, NOAA Marine Products, NOAA OPC, Weather Wisdom | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

URGENT “Notice to Mariners” – Changes to NOAA marine products effective March 7th, 2018

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Fred Pickhardt

By Lee Chesneau Lee is a senior marine meteorologist, lecturer, & a graduate from the University of Wisconsin (Madison).   Lee has had a distinguished career with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA Satellite Service (NESDIS), U.S. Navy Ship Routing Officer … Continue reading →

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High Wind and Wave Events Crossing the Gulf Stream

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Fred Pickhardt

Crossing the Gulf Stream where ocean currents can exceed 2 knots takes some skill and if you try in under certain weather conditions, could be dangerous for any size vessel.  High wind and wave events can occur under certain conditions … Continue reading →

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What does a Small Craft Advisory mean?

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Fred Pickhardt

The National Weather Service has developed a multi-tier concept for forecasting hazardous weather which includes outlooks, watches, warnings and advisories. An outlook is issued to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may occur over the next several days. … Continue reading →

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Omega Block developing over eastern North Atlantic

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

The current North Atlantic upper-air pattern is developing  an Omega block over the northeastern North Atlantic. This pattern gets its name because this upper air pattern looks like the Greek letter omega (Ω). Omega blocks tend to have two cut-off … Continue reading →

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What is the risk of encountering a tropical storm or hurricane during your Caribbean cruise?

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

                      Tropical cyclones are storms that originate over tropical and subtropical waters during the summer and fall seasons and are classified as follows: Tropical Depression:A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained … Continue reading →

Posted in Climatology, Cruise Weather, Meteorology, Ocean Storms, Tropical Cyclones, Weather Routing, Weather Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment