Weather forecasts and warnings in English
1The lesson in plain words
High-seas forecasts on an ocean passage are in English. Learn their vocabulary and short style so you can turn a broadcast into a decision.
Why English
On an ocean passage, receive English high-seas forecasts and warnings for your METAREA (marine forecast region) through satellite safety services or scheduled radio broadcasts. They follow World Meteorological Organization (WMO) rules: warnings first, then a synopsis (summary of the weather situation), then the forecast for each area. The Forecast sources unit explains the format and timing words such as imminent, soon and later.
Systems
A low is deepening when its central pressure falls and filling when it rises. Wind strength also depends on the surrounding pressure pattern. A complex low has several centres. Losing its identity means becoming indistinct as a separate system, through weakening or merging. A trough is an elongated area of relatively low pressure; a ridge is an elongated area of relatively high pressure. Example: ‘Low 980 hPa near 45N 30W, moving NE 20 kt.’
Wind and sea
‘SW 6 to 8, veering NW 5 later’ gives force and direction: veering is a clockwise shift, backing anticlockwise. Cyclonic means winds turn round a low in the area. ‘Rough becoming very rough’ means wave heights increase. Beaufort names: gale force 8, severe gale 9, storm 10, violent storm 11, hurricane force 12. US high-seas forecasts give seas in metres since 2025.
Weather and visibility
Rain may be continuous; showers come and go. Squalls bring sudden strong winds; thundery warns of thunderstorms. Fog patches are local areas of fog. Visibility may be good, moderate, poor or very poor; see Forecast sources for distances. Wintry showers contain snow, sleet or hail. Freezing spray means spray can freeze on the vessel.
Tropical warnings
Read: ‘Hurricane warning. Hurricane Ana near 18.5N 55.0W. Maximum sustained winds 75 kt, gusts 90 kt.’ The centre is at 18.5°N, 55.0°W. Sustained winds are averaged winds; gusts are brief peaks. These are the cyclone’s maximum sustained winds and gusts, not a prediction at your position. Copy the position and winds separately. See Tropical storms for wind radii.
2Key data
- Deepening / filling
- Central pressure falling / rising
- Veering / backing
- Wind shifting clockwise / anticlockwise
- Beaufort names 8–10
- Gale, severe gale, storm
- Beaufort names 11–12
- Violent storm, hurricane force
- Losing its identity
- System becoming indistinct through weakening or merging
- Freezing spray
- Spray freezing on deck and rigging
3Key points
- 1
High-seas bulletins run warnings, then synopsis, then area forecasts.
- 2
Deepening means falling central pressure; filling means rising central pressure. Neither alone determines wind strength.
- 3
Veering is clockwise, backing anticlockwise; cyclonic means turning round a low.
- 4
Force 8 gale, 9 severe gale, 10 storm, 11 violent storm, 12 hurricane force.
- 5
Write numbers down as you hear them, then plot positions and times.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A filling low is getting stronger, like a sail filling with wind.
Right: Filling means the central pressure is rising; deepening means it is falling. Wind strength also depends on the surrounding pressure pattern.
Wrong: ‘Storm’ in a forecast is any rough weather.
Right: In marine forecasts ‘storm’ means Beaufort force 10. Force 8 is a gale and force 9 a severe gale.
5Practice case & exam keys
Mid-Atlantic, you copy: ‘Low 995 hPa near 42N 35W, deepening, moving NE 25 kt, expected 47N 27W 978 hPa by 0000 UTC. Your area: S 6 to 7, veering W 8 later. Rough becoming very rough. Rain then showers.’ Which words justify preparing for a gale?
Show the answer
The low’s central pressure falls from 995 to 978 hPa as it moves north-east. In your area expect south force 6 to 7, shifting clockwise to west and rising to gale force 8 later. Wave heights increase from rough to very rough; rain is followed by showers. Prepare for a gale because your area forecast says W 8; deepening alone does not give your local wind strength.
Exam keys
- Order: warnings, synopsis, area forecasts.
- Deepening = pressure falling; filling = rising; complex low; losing its identity.
- Veering = clockwise, backing = anticlockwise; cyclonic.
- Gale 8, severe gale 9, storm 10, violent storm 11, hurricane force 12.
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