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Guide to shipping forecasts |
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The Met Office receives many enquiries
about the shipping forecasts that are broadcast
on BBC Radio 4. This is a brief guide to the main
terms used in the forecast, and also as a reference
to the main shipping areas (known as the coastal
waters) surrounding the British Isles.
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Weather bulletins for shipping are broadcast
daily on BBC Radio 4 at the following
times: 0048 and 0535 (long wave and FM),
1200 and 1755 (normally long wave only).
The bulletins consist of a gale warning
summary, general synopsis, sea-area forecasts
and coastal station reports. In addition,
gale warnings are broadcast at the first
available programme break after receipt.
If this does not coincide with a news
bulletin, the warning will be repeated
after the next news bulletin.
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| Forecasts for inshore
waters |
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In addition, some bulletins include a
forecast for all UK inshore waters, as
distinct from the coastal waters. This
can be heard on BBC Radio 4 at the end
of programmes (approximately 0048), and
on BBC Radio 3 at 0535. The forecast covers
the area up to 12 miles offshore and is
for the period up to 1800 the next day.
It includes a general synopsis, the forecast
of wind direction and force, visibility
and weather. The broadcast on Radio 4
also includes the latest available reports
of wind direction and force, visibility,
sea-level pressure and tendency for approximately
20 stations around the UK.
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