Weather and Meteorology Flashcards

In the UK Shipping Forecast, what does 'veering' mean when describing wind direction?

Answer: Wind direction changing clockwise (e.g., from south to west)

Veering describes a clockwise change in wind direction (e.g., from south to southwest to west). The opposite, a change anticlockwise, is called 'backing'.

What is the Beaufort Scale used to measure?

Answer: Wind force, ranging from Force 0 (calm) to Force 12 (hurricane)

The Beaufort Scale classifies wind speed into forces from 0 (calm, less than 1 knot) to 12 (hurricane force, 64+ knots), with descriptions of sea state at each level.

What weather conditions are typically associated with an approaching warm front?

Answer: Gradually lowering cloud, increasing rain, backing and increasing winds, and falling barometric pressure

An approaching warm front typically brings gradually lowering and thickening cloud (cirrus, then altostratus, then nimbostratus), steady rain, falling pressure, and backing winds.

What does a rapidly falling barometer indicate to a sailor?

Answer: Deteriorating weather conditions with strong winds likely

A rapidly falling barometer indicates that a deep low-pressure system is approaching, bringing strong winds, rain, and potentially dangerous conditions. A fall of more than 10 mb in 3 hours is significant.

In the UK Shipping Forecast, what visibility range does 'poor' indicate?

Answer: 1,000 metres to 2 nautical miles

In the Shipping Forecast, 'poor' visibility means between 1,000 metres and 2 nautical miles. 'Fog' is less than 1,000m, 'moderate' is 2-5nm, and 'good' is greater than 5nm.

What is a 'sea breeze' and when does it typically occur?

Answer: A daytime onshore wind caused by differential heating between land and sea

A sea breeze develops during the day when the land heats faster than the sea. Warm air rises over the land, and cooler air from the sea flows in to replace it, creating an onshore breeze.