Table of Contents
Preface to the fourth edition ix
Preface to previous editions x
Acknowledgements xi
About the authors xi
1 The atmosphere 1
Composition
Vertical distribution
Variation of temperature and pressure with height
2 Solar radiation and temperature 5
Radiation as a form of heat transfer
Diurnal temperature range
Factors affecting the heating effect of solar radiation
3 Humidity and condensation 9
Water vapour
Saturated and unsaturated air
Dew point
Absolute and relative humidity
Hygroscopic nuclei
4 Classification of clouds 13
Characteristics of cloud types
Associated height ranges
Descriptions and illustrations (Photos 1 to 16)
Weather indicated by cloud types
5 Cloud formation and development 19
Adiabatic heating and cooling
The physics of cloud formation
Lapse rates
Stability and instability
Causes of initial uplift of air
6 Precipitation 31
Rain and drizzle
Types of rain
Snow, sleet, hail, frost, sea spray, dew and rime
7 Thunderstorms 36
Causes
Lightning and thunder
Types of thunderstorm
8 Visibility 41
Definitions
Types of fog
Advection, frontal, radiation, Arctic sea smoke
Mist, dust, and haze
Sound signals
Use of radar
9 Atmospheric pressure and wind 46
Units of pressure
Cause of wind
Relationship between wind direction and force and isobars
Buys Ballot's Law
Distinction between geostropic and gradient wind
Effect of heating upon pressure
Planetary system of pressure and winds
Prevailing winds of the oceans
Land and sea breezes
Local winds
10 Sea and swell waves 62
Definitions
Characteristics
Formation of waves
Relationship between the period of a ship's roll and the period of waves
Wave dimensions
Shallow water effects
Importance of observing and reporting wave data
The Beaufort scale
Illustrations
11 Air masses and associated weather 73
Sources and characteristics
Classifications
Polar and tropical air masses and associated weather
12 Isobaric patterns 82
Distinctive types
General characteristics and weather associated with depressions, anticyclones, secondary depressions, troughs, ridges of high pressure, cols and straight isobars
13 Fronts and frontal depressions 90
Air mass boundaries
Main frontal zones
Frontal theory of formation of depressions
The sequence of cloud and weather at fronts
The process of occluding
The movement of depressions
Families of depressions
14 Non-frontal depressions 107
Formation
Thermal, instability and orographic depressions
15 Anticyclones 111
Formation and properties
Types
Associated weather
16 Tropical revolving storms 115
Origins and life history
Tracks
Strengths of wind and sequence of likely weather
Storm tides
Seasons
Regional names and details
17 Avoidance of the worst effects of a TRS 128
Natural warnings
Radar and radio warnings
Action required of masters
Practical rules of avoidance in both northern and southern hemispheres
18 Weather forecasting for the seafarer 139
Global warming
Climate change
International co-operation
Voluntary Observing Ship Scheme
Weather satellites
The synoptic chart
Special forecasts for shipping
19 Meteorological factors of planning an ocean passage 147
General principles
Recommended references
Routeing charts
20 Forecasting by the mariner 151
Guidelines for assessing movement
Movements of fronts
Rules for estimating
Development of anticyclones
Winds of the upper atmosphere
Upper air charts
21 Ocean surface currents 162
Causes
Characteristics
General surface circulation
Tabulated ocean currents
22 Sea ice 171
Physics and formation
Development
Icebergs
Distribution and seasons
Practical warnings
Dangers of icing on deck
23 Weather routeing 179
Climatological routeing
Least time tracks
Practicalities and types
24 Meteorological aspects of radar 186
Meteorological phenomena on radar
Wave clutter
Standard conditions
Non-standard conditions
25 Brief notes on observations and instruments 191
Importance of being observant
Logbook entries
Aneroid barometers
Barographs
Hygrometers
Sea thermometers
Wind and the Beaufort scale
Clouds
Visibility
Ocean currents
26 Meteorology and care of cargo 197
Ventilation
Heavy weather
Meteorological factors affecting containers
Cargo sweat
Ship's sweat
Hygroscopic cargoes
A meteorological glossary 201
Appendix: Units and equivalent values 232
Index 235
Chart of ocean currents: Inside back cover
