Marine Forecasts and Warnings for Canada
June 27, 2019
Our knowledge of atmospheric physics has grown over the years. In this day of the computer, forecasting is more accurate, is valid for longer periods, and can be delivered in seconds to those who need it. Hourly weather data packages can be transmitted to satellites from thousands of weather stations around the world and received at forecast centres less than two minutes later. Designated ships at sea and on the Great Lakes regularly transmit weather data to forecast centres, and weather buoys also supply wave height information. Boaters are amongst the fortunate recipients of this important information.
Canadian Coast Guard Marine Traffic and Communications Services broadcast continuously updated marine weather information over several VHF marine radio frequencies.
Environment Canada posts year-round marine weather forecasts and warnings, available at https://weather.gc.ca/marine/index_e.html. Just click on your area of interest on the map, and up comes a text forecast.
Environment Canada also issues regular coded MAFOR (MArine FORecasts) that are available on their website, as well as through some local radio stations.
Local radio stations, especially those in areas where boating is popular, broadcast up-to-date plain-language marine forecasts during boating season.
Weather-specific television stations transmit non-stop weather forecasts, complete with weather radar images. Although the coverage is usually regional rather than local, the boater can still get a pretty good idea of what the local weather will be like.
No matter how experienced, boaters must respect the powers of wind and wave because together they pack a tremendous amount of power. The wise boater will always check a local marine forecast for the expected wind direction and velocity, and wave height. If you don’t like the sound of the forecast, there are always better boating days to come. Even waves of one metre can be dangerous for a small open skiff, especially when it is carrying a full complement of passengers.
If travelling into the waves, do not steer straight into them, but meet them at an angle and at an appropriate slow speed that still gives you good steering capabilities, but doesn’t allow the bow to bury itself in oncoming waves. If travelling with the waves, adjust your speed to work with the waves and keep pace with them, but not too slow such that you lose steerage and a following wave turns the boat sideways or breaks over the stern. Keep this Beaufort Table handy and recognize your limits and those of your boat. DON’T FORGET: EVERYBODY SHOULD BE WEARING A LIFEJACKET OR PFD.
CPS-ECP also has two excellent weather seminars, that your local squadron can present in a two-hour session at your yacht club or marina. Neither of these seminars will make a forecaster out of you, but, “Weather For Boaters” gives a brief overview of what goes into making the mid-latitude weather that we experience on a daily basis, and will help boaters be more aware of what to look for in the sky before they set off on that afternoon sail around the bay. If you do a lot of your boating on the tropical seas, “Tropcal Weather For the Winter Boater,” takes another brief look at the much different meteorology you will experience in the Tropical Zone during those cold, snowy months up in the mid-latitudes. If you’re looking for a full-scale weather course with a little meat on it, then “Introduction to Weather For Recreational Boaters” is the course for you, and will give you a detailed and interesting look at the science of mid-latitude weather.
