The Deep Draft

An emerging technology exists in the form of software Weather Applications or ‘Apps’ for use on a number of different mobile devices. The development of such technology is intrinsically dynamic and it would be an impossible task to attempt to list all such software and its capabilities as it is released. Therefore, this blog only seeks to give the mariner an overview of some of the Apps/mobile services that are provided by national weather agencies and it should be born in mind that many others are available. It should be noted that ‘Apps’ must be typically downloaded and installed from an online store, although some are actually free.

It is strongly advised to note the points below:

1. The internet is not part of the Maritime Safety Information system and should never be relied upon as the only means to obtain the latest forecast and warning information. Access to the service may be interrupted or delayed from time to time, updates may also be delayed. Please refer to GMDSS services, INMARSAT SafetyNET or international NAVTEX for the latest information.
2. Some of the Apps listed below cover general and coastal weather only and not dedicated maritime forecasts.
3. When using these web pages and Apps, always check that the page on your screen is not from your cache. Use the Refresh or Reload button if in any doubt.

My WorldWeather

The World Weather Information Service (WWIS) website is the first and the only one global website presenting OFFICIAL weather observations, weather forecasts and climatological information for selected cities provided by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) worldwide.WWIS aims to provide authoritative and reliable weather information of NMHSs around the world to all internet users and media.The WWIS website was developed and maintained by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). By March 2017, WWIS provided official weather information for 2123 cities in which 1997 cities are available with forecast from 135 members while 1961 cities are available with climatological information from 169 members. It is available for free.

WWIS website: https://worldweather.wmo.int/

 

Weather Application

The Met Office weather app gives you weather forecasts direct from the national weather forecaster. Know what the weather will do with the most accurate forecasts and local weather coverage from 1 hour to 7 days ahead.

KEY FEATURES:

* Check rainfall forecast for the next 24 hours or the past 6 hours with the interactive rainfall map (manual scroll or using play feature)
* Check real time UK National Severe Weather Warnings with the interactive warnings map for your UK saved locations and the rest of the UK
* Receive weather alerts for the latest official UK National Severe Weather Warnings for your saved locations as soon as warnings are issued – including snow, strong winds, ice, fog and rain forecasts
* Get up-to-date and accurate global weather forecast information available for the next seven days
* Personalise your forecasts and see how the weather could affect your day by saving multiple locations
* View both daily and hourly forecasts for your favourite locations
* Watch the latest TV weather forecasts, updated 3 times a day
* Hourly and Daily forecast weather widgets

PERSONAL, ACCURATE FORECASTS INCLUDING:

* Interactive UK rainfall map including both 24 hour forecast and 6 hour observations
* Interactive UK National Severe Weather Warnings map
* UK surface pressure map
* Probability of precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, hail, and drizzle)
* Actual temperature and ‘feels like’ temperature
* UK National Severe Weather Warnings alerts
* UK national weather forecast video
* Wind speed, direction and gusts
* Sunrise and sunset times
* Pollen and air pollution forecasts
* Pollen push notifications
* Local weather forecasts unlimited locations
* The ability to change your unit settings for temperature and wind speed
* UV Index, visibility, humidity and pressureIt is available for free.

NOAA National Ocean Service

NOAA produces a wide range of apps and services which are of interest to the mariner including: Marine Forecasts, Hawaii Tsunami Information Service, WhaleALERT, Marine Debris Tracker and many more. This app allows you to stream video live from remotely operated vehicle on the seafloor (at depths of up to 6,000 meters or 3.7 miles) directly to your mobile device.

The app also provides information on the location of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and updates about their dives.

MetService Marine

MetService Marine is a specific marine weather application, giving all coastal and recreational marine forecast from metservice.com. It also provides severe weather information, tides, 7·5 minute Rain Radar, 3 day rainfall forecast imagery with wind barbs, surface pressure maps. The app is developed for smartphones and does not support tablets.

Features include:
– Recreational and Coastal marine forecasts
– Severe weather information
– Tides
– 7.5 minute Rain Radar
– 3 day rainfall forecast imagery with wind barbs
– Surface pressure maps
– User selected default location which is saved as the Home screen

Boletim ao Mar (Sea Bulletins)

Boletim ao Mar is a specific marine weather app which gives access to daily bulletins on weather and sea conditions for the next 24 and 48 hour periods, it also provides marine weather warnings and Notice to Mariners for relevant Brazilian nautical publications. The app is free and is available in both Androd and Apple formats in Portuguese.

ShipHappens