Meteorology

 
Weather Services for Shipping
 
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a
membership of 187 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International
Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. Established in 1950, WMO
became the specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate),
operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. 

Since its establishment, WMO has played a unique and powerful role in contributing to the
welfare of humanity. Under WMO leadership and within the framework of WMO programmes,
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services have contributed substantially to the
protection of life and property against natural disasters, to safeguarding the environment and to
enhancing the economic and social well-being of all sectors of society in areas such as food
security, water resources and transport. It has a unique role within the UN system it facilitates the
free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services in real- or near-
real time on matters relating to safety and security of society, economic well being and the
prevention of the environment.
As weather and climate know no national boundaries, international cooperation at a global scale
is essential for the development of meteorology and operational hydrology as well as to reap the
benefits from their applications. WMO provides the framework for such international
cooperation.
 

In the specific case of weather natural disasters which account for nearly three-quarters of all are
such events, WMO’s programmes provide the vital information for the advance warnings that
save many lives and reduce damage to property and the environment. Human induced disasters
chemistry, nuclear and forest fire .
Sources of weather information available to shipping
Navtext – continuous however available only in coastal areas – not for ocean passages
VHF – port information
Weather FAX – all over the world
Inmarsat C – Same broadcast as Navtext but for coverage area of Inmarsat
High Frequency (HF) broadcasts – Ocean passages
Information flow between merchant ships and some Meteorological Offices
Under the aegis of WMO, IMD has enlisted a cooperating fleet of Voluntary Observing Ships for
collection of meteorological observations from ocean areas.  The VOF consists of merchant ships
of Indian registry, some foreign merchant vessels and a few ships of the Indian Navy, totalling
203.  These ships have Meteorological instruments supplied by IMD.  The observations are
transmitted by the ships to the nearest coastal radio stations for onward transmission to the storm
warning centres. Records of observations are passed on to the Department when the ships call at
ports. IMD's Port Meteorological Offices provide asistance for callibration and maintenance of
the equipment on board the ship
Services provided for shipping by Meteorological Offices
Meteorological Service Division, National Environment Agency is a pioneer in the provision of
routine weather forecasts and storm warnings for shipping in the region. As a member of the
World Meteorological Organisation, MSD participates actively in its Marine Meteorology
Programme to enhance safety at sea and fufill our regional responsibility with WMO and the
Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS, 1989 and 1974) of the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Services:
Issue of storm warnings and routine weather bulletins for shipping transmitted directly to vessels
at sea via High Frequency (HF) broadcasts
Provision of port meteorological services for Singapore registered ships
Collection and exchange of ship's weather reports relayed via Inmarsat from ships
Provision of meteorological services for maritime search and rescue operations including oil spill
incidents.
Additional Services:
Weather and seas conditions surveillance and issuance of storm warnings and advisories for
shipping
Forecasts for sea navigation, off-shore drilling and mining operations, cable and pipe- laying and
the towing of vessels and platforms
Weather watch and forecasts in and around harbour areas such as cargo handling, barge loading
and navigation are
Assessments of weather conditions for purposes of marine accident investigations and insurance
claims
Provision of climatologolical and historical weather & oceanic data for studies, site assessments
and planning.
Singapore MSD has the capability of providing the required weather information and forecasts in
support of all of the mentioned activities. With its highly qualified internationally trained staff,
advanced technology and quick access to the worldwide weather data, MSD is indeed well-
poised to meet the demands of the region's maritime community.
Weather bulletin and the contents of each of its sections
Weather Chart and the detailed message relating to the same.
The message is divided in parts and the same is shown and what they contain.
SINGAPORE WEATHER BULLETIN FOR SHIPPING
(Regular updates at 0900 UTC and 2100 UTC)

TTT Warning at 090600 A monsoon disturbance

was located in the South China Sea, north of
latitude zero five degrees North (05N) and east of
PART STORM longitudes one zero five degrees East (105E). Sea
ONE: WARNINGS moderate to rough and swell moderate to high
from NE. Winds NE 20 to 25 Knots. This monsoon
disturbance is expected to persist during the next
18 hours.
 PART GENERAL
Moderate NE Monsoon.
TWO: SITUATION

FORECAST VALID 12 HOURS FROM 09 Jan

PART THREE:
2005 13:00 UTC

ENE 10/20 Knots. Isolated showers. Sea slight to

PHUKET
moderate. Swell low to moderate.

NE/N 10 /15 Knots. Scattered showers/isolated

MALACCA
thunderstorms. Sea slight. Swell low.

NE/N 15/20 Knots. Scattered showers/isolated

TIOMAN
thunderstorms. Sea moderate . Swell moderate.

NE/N 15/20 Knots. Scattered

BUNGURAN showers/thunderstorms. Sea moderate . Swell
moderate.

NE 25 Knots. Isolated showers. Sea rough. Swell

CONDORE
high.

NE 25 Knots in north, NE/N 15/20 Knots in

south. Isolated showers in north and scattered
REEF showers/isolated thunderstorms in south. Sea
rough in north, moderate in south. Swell high in
north, moderate in south.

 
Types of information received by facsimile machine
All type of information is received by a weather FAX. In fact it is easy to understand since the
notes form of weather message requires to be laid out on a chart, wher as the weather FAX
already has a map printed on it.

 
Services provided for storm warnings
Storm warnings are transmitted over various means of transmission.
They include:
Navtext – continuous however available only in coastal areas – not for ocean passages
VHF – port information
Weather FAX – all over the world
Inmarsat C – Same broadcast as Navtext but for coverage area of Inmarsat
High Frequency (HF) broadcasts – Ocean passages
SAMPLE MESSAGE
Issued on 09/01/2005 2312LT   

STORM WARNING: TROPICAL CYCLONE 01B                            

Current position on 09/01/2005 12Z  6.4N  83.5E

Max Winds/Gusts  25/ 35 (kt)

Movement past six hrs: 015 deg 04 kt

Forecast position on 10/01/2005 00Z  6.5N  82.9E

Max Winds/Gusts  25/ 35 (kt)

Forecast position on 10/01/2005 12Z  6.2N  81.9E

Max Winds/Gusts  20/ 30 (kt)

Forecast position on 11/01/2005 00Z  5.9N  80.6E

Max Winds/Gusts  20/ 30 (kt)

Forecast position on 11/01/2005 12Z  5.8N  78.9E

Max Winds/Gusts 20/ 30 (kt)