Weather or Not to Boat

As the sun rises high in the sky, the tropical oceans and atmospheres become more and more active by absorbing heat energy. This starts the recipe for thunderstorm and hurricane production. Knowing where to find weather advisories and what signs to look for when you are on the water makes your boat outing that much more enjoyable.

When spring and summer roll around and outside boating activities increase, the frequency of severe thunderstorms and hurricanes increases as well. Boaters are caught off guard too frequently when storms roll over the horizon. Usually when you observe dark, fast-moving clouds headed your way, it is too late to head for a safe location if you are out in the open water. Having knowledge of the larger weather picture and knowing exactly what to do when these sudden storms appear could help you enjoy a safer and more pleasant journey.

Fortunately, those boats equipped with NOAA weather radios will be able to tune into the Special Marine Warnings and Special Weather Statements being issued by the local National Weather Service office. These statements will give you instructions on where the storms are heading and how severe they are expected to be. If your vessel is not equipped with NOAA weather radios, get to know the weather story from local TV stations and the National Weather Service briefings.

The following information is an explanation of the type of warnings you can expect to hear from the National Weather Service:

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY: To alert mariners to sustained weather or sea conditions, either present or forecast, that might be hazardous to small boats. The threshold conditions for this advisory are usually 18 knots of wind or hazardous wave conditions.

GALE WARNING: To indicate winds within the range 34 to 47 knots; or tropical cyclones 34 to 63 knots.

STORM WARNING: To indicate winds 48 knots and above, no matter how high the speed.

HURRICANE WARNING: Issued only in connection with a tropical hurricane to indicate that winds 64 knots and above are expected.

HURRICANE WATCH: This announcement is not a warning, rather it indicates that the hurricane is near enough that everyone in the area covered by the "Watch" should listen to their radios for subsequent advisories and be ready to take precautionary action in case hurricane warnings are issued.

SPECIAL MARINE WARNING:Issued whenever a severe local storm or strong wind of brief duration is imminent and is not covered by existing warnings or advisories. Boaters will be able to receive these special warnings by keeping tuned to a NOAA Weather Station or to Coast Guard and commercial radio stations that transmit marine weather information.

Knowing the larger weather picture before venturing out into the open waters saves aggravation and maybe your life. Know the weather services in your area, and chart a course toward boating safety.