Overview
Whether you are a sailor or power boater, learning a few basic weather forecasting skills will improve the safety and comfort of your outings. Marine Weather 101 will teach you how to interpret weather maps, prepare a wind & wave forecast, and recognize the potential for thunderstorms. You will also learn where to find marine weather forecasts and how to use Doppler Weather radar to monitor thunderstorms.
These skills will improve your trip planning and reduce the likelihood that you will be exposed to uncomfortable or hazardous weather conditions.
Seminar Topics
March 2, 2022
- A few basic weather principles.
- How to decode the confusing symbols, color shading, and meteorological shortand on weather forecast maps.
- The basics of weather forecasting apps.
March 9, 2022
- The forces controlling the wind and wind forecasting.
- Wave forecasting.
- Forecasting precipitation
March 16, 2022
- How to use Doppler Weather Radar to assess the development, monitor the evolution, and track the movement of thunderstorms.
- How to forecast the potential and nature of severe weather.
- The thunderstorm life-cycle and the conditions that lead to their development.
- How to recognize the large and small-scale weather patterns that promote thunderstorm development.
Recordings
Don't worry if you can't attend one of the live sessions. Each session will be recorded and made available to all registered attendees until June 1, 2022.
Please send questions regarding the seminar to Mark Thornton at Mark@LakeErieWX.com. Please click here to view the speaker's resume.
About The Presenter
Mark Thornton has been sailing for more than 25 years and currently owns Osprey, a C&C 35. His interest in weather forecasting grew from his experiences cruising and racing on the Great Lakes. Mark is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.
He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Mackinac Race since 2014. Mark is also employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.
