The Weather (GRIB) feature of Fugawi Marine ENC permits you to load GRIB format (version 1) weather data as an overlay on a chart or map, select contour intervals, contour and barb line styles, animate the weather forecast and more.

Fugawi Marine ENC also provides a convenient function to retrieve current GRIB files from several forecast models for your area of interest by generating an automatic email request through the free-of-charge Saildocs service.

WARNING:

Most GRIB files available are extracted from a computer forecast model. While such computer data can provide useful guidance for general wind flow and pressure systems, they are not necessarily reviewed and the data may not be current or correct. Along shore, local effects may dominate. In addition, the models cannot provide adequate prediction for tropical systems, frontal activity or convergence zones. For hurricane/cyclone forecasts, carefully monitor the appropriate warning messages and do not rely on GRIB data from any source. GRIB data should be considered supplemental, and not be relied upon in lieu of professionally-generated charts or forecasts. Mariners are urged to use these data in conjunction with forecaster generated forecasts.

Types of Data
The following forecast models and observations are easily available via a list selection in Fugawi Marine ENC from ENC|Retrieve Weather via Email|Type option in Fugawi Marine ENC

• Wind Speed and Barometric Pressure
  These data are from NOAA's GFS model. The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a global numerical weather prediction model. The model is run 4 times a day and produces forecasts up to 16 days in advance. Data are generally available on a 0.5 x 0.5 degree grid out to 180 hours and then on a 2.5x2.5 degree grid out to 16 days.
   
• 500mb Wind and Height
  Wind and height of 500mb pressure (about 18,000 feet) from the GFS model.
   
• COAMPS Detailed Regional Model
  A more detailed regional model of wind and pressure provided by the U.S. Navy. Data are available for three regions: Eastern Pacific, Western Atlantic, and Caribbean/Central America. Forecast data are available on a 0.2 x 0.2 degree grid at 6 hour intervals out to 48 hours (72 hours for the Western-Atlantic). For best results use a grid of 0.2 degrees or multiples of that to avoid interpolation.
   
• Sea Temperature
  Sea temperature from the GFS model.
   
• Air Temperature
  Air temperature from the GFS model.
   
• WW3 NOAA's Wave Model
  This is NOAA's WW3 wave model. Data are available on a 1 x 1.25 degree grid (Lat x Lon). Forecasts are made for every 3 hours out to 180 hours. The forecasts are updated every 6 hours. The data reported in Fugawi are the Significant Wave Height (average height of the highest third of waves), the Peak Wave Direction and the Peak Wave Period.
   
• QSCAT Satellite Wind Observations
  Current wind conditions calculated from radar observations. The data are available on a 0.33 x 0.33 degree grid. The data are updated every few hours, but some of the data points may be up to a day old. The age of the data is reported in Fugawi Marine ENC. If the radar observes rain, the wind data is not shown.
   
• RTOFS Atlantic Current Model
  The Real-time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) model operated by NOAA provides high-resolution forecasts for currents and sea temperature. Data are available on a 0.25 x 0.25 degree grid for the entire Atlantic and a 0.05 x 0.06 degree grid for the Gulf Stream area. There is one model run per day. Forecasts are provided at 12 hour intervals out to 5 days for the Atlantic data and at 24 hour intervals for the Gulf Stream. A fine grid of 0.2 degrees or better is necessary to see the Gulf Stream.
  
  

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The following listing is provided to assist Fugawi Marine ENC Ver 4 users with finding alternative GRIB and weather data on the web. Sources have neither been verified nor endorsed by Northport Systems Inc.

GRIB Data Sources:

• Saildocs
• Global Marine Networks
• NOAA Wave Model

More Information:

• Frank Singleton's web page
• NOAA Marine Forecasts
• UK Met Office Shipping Forecasts

Saildocs:
Saildocs is provided without charge thanks to the support of Sailmail, a membership-owned radio email service for cruising sailors which operates a seamless network of 15 stations worldwide (including five covering the Caribbean and Atlantic). More information on Saildocs is available by sending an email to info@saildocs.com which will return the how-to document (about 5K). Fugawi Marine ENC Ver 4. contains a convenient wizard which lets you easily create GRIB requests for Saildocs.

Global Marine Networks:
Global Marine Networks (GMN) offers 5 day wind forecasts of the world as a public service via it's GRIB Mail Robot. The forecasts are generated daily for every region of the world and give forecasts every 6 hours for up to 5 days into the future. The forecasts are taken from the US National Weather Service Wave Watch III model. GRIB forecasts are delivered via e-mail.

How it works:
1. Send a blank email to gmngrib@globalmarinenet.net with various subjects as follows.

2. You will receive a return email with an attached GRIB file for the region indicated.

3. The GRIB data will be compressed using BZ2 compression. To uncompress the files, you will need a BZ2 compatible compression utility such as WinRAR (free).

4. Specifying the a subject above will result in one email with a 24 hour forecast. For example "Atlantic" will return an e-mail with a GRIB file containing a 24 hour forecast. Alternately you can specify the time of the forecast by entering the time after the key on the subject line. Valid times are 6 to 126 hours. For example, entering "Atlantic 24 48 72" will result in 3 e-mails each containing a separate forecast for the Atlantic region.

5. To receive a single GRIB file with multiple forecasts (for animation), then you can specify 1day, 2day, 3day, 4day, or 5day worth of weather sampled at 6 hour intervals. For example, entering "Atlantic 3day" will return one compressed GRIB file that contains 3 days worth of forecasts on 6 hour intervals.

NOAA Wave Model:
NOAA produces a Wave Forecast Model (WAVEWATCH III) in GRIB file format. The most recent model results can be found here ftp://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/waves/latest_run/

Data in the GRIB file may include: Wind direction (degr., oceanographical convention), Wind speed (m/s), Wind U component (m/s), Wind V component (m/s), Significant wave height (m), Mean wave direction (degr., oceanographical convention), Mean wave period (s), Peak wave direction (degr., oceanographical convention), Peak wave period (s), and Wind sea direction (degr., oceanographical convention). This model can now be selected directly from the ENC|Retrieve Weather via Email|Type option in Fugawi Marine ENC.

Frank Singleton:
Frank Singleton was a senior forecaster with the UK Met Office. He cruises a Hallberg Rassy 34. He is a life member of the Royal Meteorological Society and maintains an informative page on Marine Weather here: http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Home

NOAA Marine Forecasts:
For up to date marine forecast information, provided by NOAA, see: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm

UK Met Office Shipping Forecasts:
For up to date marine forecast information, provided by the UK Met Office, see: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine/