METEOROLOGY .... SIMPLY FOR YACHTIES
THE IDEAL TEACHING COURSE FOR ALL SAILORS WISHING TO KNOW HOW THE WORLD'S WEATHER HAPPENS
THE LESSONS
This lesson looks briefly at the structure of the World’s total atmosphere from outer space inwards, then concentrates on the Troposphere – within which all the world' weather occurs. The lesson focuses on the Standard Atmosphere, Pressure and Density, Lapse Rates, Adiabatic Cooling and finally – and probably the most important topic within the study of Meteorology – the Stability of an Air Mass
Cloud comes in all shapes and sizes and a close look is taken at each of these. Often, the cloud type will give a good indication of the weather to expect from it. More importantly, this lesson is all about how cloud forms in the first place. It covers Dew Point, Dry and Saturated Lapse Rate, Cloud Development and the vertical limit of this, and finally how parcels of air can be helped to begin their vertical journey throughout the atmosphere
Air Masses and Fronts produce an abundance and variety of all sorts of weather and this lesson starts with an examination of major air masses in the Northern hemisphere and their pressure distribution. The Polar Front is explained and the lesson develops by looking at the structure and behaviour of a typical frontal depression and the cloud structure to be expected on warm and cold fronts. It also covers occluded fronts and six named and classic large air masses that can significantly cause the weather experienced in the
Differential pressure areas in the Troposphere cause the movement of air between them – known to us as Wind. This lesson explains how Northern Hemisphere winds develop and flow. In particular, a close look is taken at Pressure Gradient Force, Geostrophic Force and Coriolis, which, in turn, cause Geostrophic and Gradient winds. How these are effected by latitude is explained and surface frictional effects are discussed. The lesson then focuses on Sea and Land Breezes, Katabatic Winds, the Föhn Wind and the change in wind as a warm and cold front passes.
Many people from the UK and Europe take sailing holidays in the Mediterranean and so this lesson is included to cover the very specific winds that regularly blow in and over this land locked sea, some of which can catch out the unwary sailor. You will learn about the Western Mediterranean Mistral and the Levante, the Central Adriatic Mediterranean Bora and the Gregale and the Central and Eastern Mediterranean Sirroco. All have their peculiarities, and their dangers and pitfalls that the unprepaired sailor may fall foul of.
The inability to see ahead for whatever reason is always the back drop to stressful sailing unless you are prepared, trained, and knowledgeable. This lesson discusses all the degrees of reducing visibility ranging through pollution induced haze, mist and eventually to fog in all its guises. Learn the difference between Radiation Fog, Advection Fog and Frontal Fog and the environmental conditions that are involved in the formation of each.
Thunderstorms were the angry Gods of stone age man and it is not surprising that the power and potential danger that these meteorological phenomena possess is still highly respected by all sailors to this day. Learn about the conditions suitable for the development of Cumulonibus clouds and the ways that they can be triggered to grow into a potent threat to the safety of all boats at sea. Find out about the phases of thunderstorm development and dispersal, and the hazards that you may face when sailing in or close to an active storm
Finally, attention is given to predicting the future weather to give warning of reducing and unfavourable conditions. This lesson first looks at and explains the weather forecasts available on the internet, particularly from the UK Met Office; it then covers maintaining the ship's log, methods of recording information, radio broadcasts, simple interpretation of weather charts, the significance of changing barometric pressure, and the likely changes in this and the behaviour of the wind when a frontal system passes over your present position.
Each lesson finishes with an interactive self testing questionnaire which will give a good indication of how much of the lesson content has been absorbed by the reader and also where to return to in the lesson to reinforce any weaknesses in learning during the lesson. Each self testing slide can be skipped if desired.
