UK Weather and Shipping Forecasts
It can't be said enough to do really good planning and preparation prior to a trip, expedition and nearer the time for the diving - it really is essential for the enjoyment and safety of the whole diving team.
The BBC has a fantastic Weather Service based upon information from around the UK, Radar, Satellites and the Met Office's own forecasting computer models that take in this extra information. Still local anomolies do happen, or indeed something changes and the predictions just don't happen. however these predictions do give you a good guide as to the overall safety and enjoyment decisions and are well worth the time taken to do the homework before the dive trip.
The Surface Pressure Forecast gives you a more detailed tool as to what is happening to the pressure fronts (isobars) and this allows a more targetted understanding of the Weather Forecast for the next 84 hours. Use this tool with the Radar/Satellite BBC Forecast Tool to get a really good understanding of the most likely weather for the next few days.
The UK Shipping Forecast gives you a very clear picture of the litoral and surrounding sea areas and gives specific short period view of weather within that region. This is broadcast by the Coast Guard and regional specific radio stations. The Inshore Shipping Forecast gives the coastal litoral and harbour mouth short period view of weather within that region. Both are invaluable tools for planning to sail, launch or indeed for planning go/no-go on those boat trips.
What is key to any successfully planning activity is a good understanding of the form and features at the area of interest and the Hydrographic Office produce some stunning charts. Personally we use the Standard Navigational Charts - although the Small Craft Portfolio's are extremely useful for on a Rib or Yacht. To find the relevant chart the best place to look is the Admiralty, a good sales outlet for these is SCD over in Suffolk who we have used for years.
Tide tables can be purchased and these require a sensible introduction and training in there correct use, or on-line tools can now be used to give you a good view of the state of tides and this free Hydrographic Office Tool is particularly useful!
Please feel free to Contact Us for further help and information.
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