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WX0703 · Weather Maps & Forecasting

15 questions · 8 multiple choice · 7 written · ASA 109 Marine Weather — Weather Maps & Forecasting

← all quizzes · topic: ASA 109 · WX0703

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Q1
How do I plot my position and present course on a weather fax map?
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We assume you are not using ECS such as OpenCPN or Expedition, which imports the georeferenced weather maps at a button click.

Q2
On a 500-mb wx map, you will see curved lines labeled with 3-digit numbers such as 535, etc. What does the “535” tell us?
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Some maps use a different convention which simplifies this issue, but many worldwide do not.

Q3
Which region of the map shown in Figure G107 would have the strongest winds? (For Gxxx graphics go to Weather Trainer, menubar/tools/graphics.)
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This is the number one question we must answer when looking at any weather map. The letters mark the immediate region around them. Disregard the lines shown.

Q4
Which agency of the National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for producing marine weather forecasts and maps of US offshore and high seas waters and whose website is the primary source for this data?
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We are not referring to US coastal waters (0 to 60 nmi off) which are prepared largely by the local NWS offices along the coast.

Q5
Which NWS agency is responsible for tropical weather maps and forecasts and whose website is the primary source for this data?
Q6
(A) What are the valid times for the Ocean Prediction Center’s surface analysis maps for ocean and coastal waters? (B) What are the valid times for the Weather Prediction Center’s surface analysis maps that are useful for US inland and coastal waters?
Q7
We receive surface forecast maps from NWS meteorologists for 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h into the future. (1) How often are the 24h forecasts given and what times are they valid for? (2) How often are the 48h forecasts given? (3) The 72h? (4) The 96h?
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Check out the Atlantic or Pacific Schedules.

Q8
Winds on surface forecast maps are only drawn in if they are greater or equal to a nominal wind speed of...
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Recall that wind arrows represent a nominal average, with a full range of ±2.5 kts. Also, is there a difference between surface analysis maps and forecast maps in this regard?

Q9
A line of prominent dots on a surface analysis or forecast at higher latitudes marks what? They are black on a fax map or blue on a color map.
Q10
The few wind barbs plotted on OPC surface analysis maps are from…
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This is not the same on other OPC maps.

Q11
List 4 advantages of model forecasts in GRIB format over the human analyzed graphic weather maps of the same time and place produced by the OPC.
Q12
List 4 disadvantages of model forecasts in GRIB format over the human analyzed graphic weather maps of the same time and place produced by the OPC.
Q13
Which of these OPC maps is pure GFS, without any human input?
Q14
If you want to download all of the relevant analyses and forecast maps at once for a particular ocean and time, what is the key word you would look for on the Ocean Predictions Center website?
Q15
When using the surface analysis and forecast maps to predict the winds, what other OPC maps of surface conditions are available that could help you get the best picture of their predictions? (We also use the 500 mb maps to evaluate the forecasts, but here we are asking only about surface maps.)
💡 Show hint

A reminder can be seen on one of their Briefing pages.