• RN Recognition
• Reference
• Contact Us

Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast is a 4 times, daily radio broadcast (on BBC Radio 4) which outlines weather conditions for coastal and offshore areas around the UK. The map below shows the different shipping areas and their relevant names. Each forecast takes the same structure and reports for each shipping area are read out moving in a clockwise direction.
	Gales The first part of the shipping forecast will outline any areas in which there are gale warnings. For example the broadcast may start as follows: AND NOW THE SHIPPING FORECAST ISSUED BY THE MET.OFFICE AT 1725 ON WEDNESDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2003 THERE ARE WARNINGS OF GALES IN HEBRIDES BAILEY FAIR ISLE FAEROES AND SOUTHEAST ICELAND A gale is winds which measures at least Force 8 of the Beaufort Scale. Gales - key terms Gale Warnings Beaufort Wind Speed Gusts Severe Gale 8-10 41-47 knots 52-60 knots Violent Storm 11 56-63 knots 69 knots Hurricane Force 12 64 knots True tropical cyclone Imminent - Expected within 6 hours of time of issue. Soon - Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue. Later - Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
The next part of the forecast is a description of weather which is coming across the Atlantic. This is called the general synopsis and looks as follows: THE GENERAL SYNOPSIS AT MIDDAY LOW GERMAN BIGHT 1002 MOVING STEADILY SOUTHEAST FILLING. SLOW-MOVING LOW DENMARK STRAIT 968 DEEPENING 963 BY MIDDAY TOMORROW. NEW LOW FORMING 100 MILES NORTH OF ICELAND 966 BY SAME TIME The synopsis basically outlines the movement of pressure systems. Movement of pressure systems - Key Terms Description Speed Slowly Moving at less than 15 knots Steadily quickly Moving at 25 to 35 knots Rapidly Moving at 35 to 45 knots Very rapidly Moving at more than 45 knots The report the covers the weather for each shipping area, moving round in a clockwise direction. The forecast is made up of three pieces of information: Wind direction and strength (Beaufort scale), Weather expected Visibility. It will sound as follows for each area: THE AREA FORECASTS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS VIKING NORTH UTSIRE VARIABLE 4 BECOMING SOUTH OR SOUTHEAST 6 OR 7, PERHAPS GALE 8 LATER. RAIN LATER. GOOD BECOMING MODERATE Key Terms: Wind Description Meaning Wind direction (southwesterly) The direction from which the wind is blowing Wind becoming cyclonic Considerable change in wind direction across the path of a depression Veering The changing of the wind in a clockwise direction e.g. SW to W Backing The opposite direction to veering e.g. SE to NE Visibility Description Meaning Fog Less than 1,000m Poor Between 1,000m and 2 nautical miles Moderate Between 2 and 5 nautical miles Good More than 5 nautical miles Listen to the latest Shipping Forecast (Real Audio) (BBC) View latest Shipping Forecast (BBC)