UNIT 2

THE WEATHER

Objectives of Unit 2
Introduction
2.1 Temperature
2.2 Humidity
2.3 Cloudiness
2.4 Fog
2.5 Precipitation
2.6 Wind
Self-assessment test
Progress test
Answers to self-assessment test
Bibliography / Webography
 OBJECTIVES OF UNIT 2

The main objectives are:

 understand the importance of the weather condition
 realize the need to have information well before leaving port
 know where to find the information
 receive and understand weather forecasts

Introduction

Weather-conditions have a great influence on the safety during a voyage and should always
be taken into consideration in voyage-planning and when underway.
The state of the atmosphere is determined by various meteorological elements, such as
temperature, humidity, cloudiness and fog, forms of precipitation, barometric pressure, and
speed and direction of wind. All these elements may be referred to as "the weather".

2.1 Temperature
Any change in temperature is significant in weather-forecasting. When measuring
temperatures three different scales can be used:
- the scientifically used Kelvin-scale, also referred to as the absolute scale;
- the commonly used Celsius-scale, which measures a temperature in centigrades;
- the obsolete Fahrenheit-scale.

2.2 Humidity
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air.
Warm air is capable to contain a higher grade of moisture, or humidity, than cold air.
The maximum amount of moisture that air can hold at a specific temperature is known as
"saturation".
Most clouds are the result of a rising mass of cool air.
When the temperature of air falls, water vapour in the air will condense into droplets of ice
crystals, thus forming clouds or fog.
2.3 Cloudiness
Clouds very often indicate an imminent change of weather.
Rising clouds is an indication that the weather is about to clear; lowering or thickening clouds
will indicate precipitation.
The main types of clouds are the high cirrus clouds, the layered stratus clouds and the
huge and massivecumulus clouds. "Alto" stands for high, and "Nimbus" means rain.
The presence of cirrus clouds may be a warning for an approaching storm.
The low-hanging stratus clouds indicate unstable weather.
The altocumulus clouds may precede adverse weather.

2.4 Fog
Fog is a cloud that touches the ground.
Dense fog will reduce visibility considerably and is referred to as "thick weather".
By this is meant any type of weather-condition that will reduce visibility considerably, whether
by fog, snow, rain, dust haze or any other circumstance.

2.5 Precipitation
Precipitation is formed when the droplets or ice crystals in clouds have become sufficiently
large to fall to the ground.
Precipitation may take a variety of forms, for example rain, snow, drizzle, hail or sleet.

2.6 Wind
Wind is the most important factor that determines the condition of the weather.
Wind is merely an amount of air that moves in a horizontal motion over the earth from
an area of high barometric pressure towards an area of low barometric pressure.
Falling barometric pressure generally indicates that a gale or storm is approaching;
rising pressure indicates the approach or continuation of fair weather.
An area of low pressure is called a cyclone. A high-pressure area is an anti-cyclone.
Because of the rotation of the earth, the circulations of winds in the northern hemisphere tend
to be clockwise around areas of high pressure, and anti-clockwise around low-pressure areas.
In the southern hemisphere the directions of circulation are the opposite. Wind is always named
after the direction it is coming from, not blowing in.
Its force is indicated by the Beaufort-scale numbers. These numbers, ranging from zero to force
12, refer to the wind-speed measured in nautical miles per hour.
For the navigator the wind direction and force are the most important aspects of meteorological
conditions that are forecast in weather reports by weather stations.
Information must always include an increase or decrease in force and any change in wind-
direction.
A change of direction is usually indicated by the terms “veering" and "backing".
A veering wind changes in a clockwise direction.
A backing wind changes in anti-clockwise direction.

Self-assessment Test.
Fill in: temperature, humidity, cloudiness, fog, precipitation or wind.
1- A change of ____________ in a clockwise direction is indicated by
the word "veering".
2 - _____________ is announced by a lowering or thickening
cloudiness.
3 - A change in _______________ is the most significant aspect in
weather forecasting.
4 - Saturation refers to the maximum amount of _______in air at a
specific temperature.
5 - Circulation of _________ is anti-clockwise around low pressure
areas in the Northern
Hemisphere.
6 - An imminent change of weather is often indicated by
________________________ .
7 - The amount of air that moves from one area to the other is referred
to as __________ .
8 - ________________ can be measured in three different scales.
9 - ___________ is a result of a rising mass of cool air.

10 - Adverse weather may be preceded by altocumulus

______________________ .
11 - A decrease of _____________: of air will result in the forming of
clouds or ________ .
12 - ___________________ -speed is measured in nautical miles per
hour.
13 - The amount of water vapour that is in the air is referred to as
_________________ .
14 - When a cloud touches the ground we speak of
_______________________.
15 - _____________ is formed when droplets have become large
enough to fall to the ground.
 Progress test

Fill in the information

Biscay:
wind westerly force six, increasing force eight to nine, heavy squalls,
good visibility.

Sea Area Gales Wind: Now Weather Visibility

/ Later
Biscay /

Finisterre:
wind increasing westerly force three to four, rain turning to drizzle with mist,
visibility.
Sea Area Gales Wind: Now Weather Visibility
/ Later
Finisterre /

Irish Sea:
calm, wind increasing westerly force three to four,
sleet, good to poor visibility.
Sea Area Gales Wind: Now / Weather Visibility
Later
Irish Sea /
Answers to self-assessment test
Fill in: temperature, humidity, cloudiness, fog, precipitation or wind.

1- A change of wind in a clockwise direction is indicated by the word "veering".

2 – precipitation is announced by a lowering or thickening cloudiness.
3 - A change in temperature is the most significant aspect in weather forecasting.
4 - Saturation refers to the maximum amount of humidity in air at a specific temperature.
5 - Circulation of wind is anti-clockwise around low pressure areas in the Northern Hemisphere.
6 - An imminent change of weather is often indicated by cloudiness
7 - The amount of air that moves from one area to the other is referred to as wind.
8 - ________________ can be measured in three different scales.
9 - ___________ is a result of a rising mass of cool air.

10 - Adverse weather may be preceded by altocumulus ______________________ .

11 - A decrease of _____________: of air will result in the forming of clouds or
________ .
12 - ___________________ -speed is measured in nautical miles per hour.
13 - The amount of water vapour that is in the air is referred to as _________________ .
14 - When a cloud touches the ground we speak of _______________________.
15 - _____________ is formed when droplets have become large enough to fall to the ground.

Bibliography / Webography
1. Georgescu, M. Maritime English, Students’ Coursebook, 3rd year, 2nd term
(on www.cmu-edu.eu)
2. Georgescu, M. Outboard Communication (2010), Nautica Press, Constanţa,
ISBN 978-606-8105-13-0.
3. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. English Grammar in Use-Exercises and Quizzes,
(2010), Editura Nautica, ISBN 978-606-8105-14-7.
4. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. Developing English Communication and
Understandimg Skills on Board Ship (2013), Editura Crizon, Constanta, ISBN
978-606-8476-09-4.
5.Van Kluijven, P. C..The International Maritime Language Programme.
(IMLP) (2005) CD- ROM. Alkmaar: Alk & Heijnen Publishers. Maritime
English CD-ROM
6. Murphy, R. Essential Grammar in Use. 1st ed. Cambridge, Cambridge University
Press, 1990 (ISBN 0 521 35770 5)
7. weather24x7.eu (visited 10.04.2012)