Coastal & Offshore Marine Weather Forecasting
Coastal & Offshore Marine Weather Forecasting
Coastal and offshore cruising requires many skills. Regardless of where your adventures take you, no aspect of cruising is more important than an understanding of marine weather forecasting. Attendees at the two-day Coastal & Offshore Marine Weather Seminar will develop an understanding of basic weather principles and learn a wide variety of simple forecasting skills that will improve their cruise planning and reduce the likelihood that they will be exposed to uncomfortable or hazardous weather conditions.
What you can expect to learn at the 2-day seminar:
- A few basic meteorological principles.
- How to decode the confusing symbols and meteorological shorthand on forecast graphics, regardless of your cruising grounds
- How to prepare a detailed wave height forecast and recognize the conditions that promote dangerously high waves.
- Why the wind behaves the way it does and how to prepare a detailed wind forecast.
- How to predict the development and movement of low pressure systems and their accompanying frontal boundaries.
- How to forecast the potential of thunderstorms, including when, where, and what type of storms may develop.
- Identify the ingredients required for the formation of tropical cyclones and how to interpret the products published by the National Hurricane Center.
- How to use Doppler weather radar and satellite imagery to help you avoid an encounter with severe or hazardous weather.
- Where to find forecast graphics and a strategy for preparing a multi-day marine forecast.
- The pros and cons of several of popular weather forecasting apps.
But most of all, the seminar will provide you with the skills to be self-reliant. The seminar combines classroom instruction, case studies, hands-on forecasting exercises, and live product demonstrations to create an engaging learning experience.
Comments From Previous Seminars
- A+ Excellent, Thank you so much Mark! I was concerned that this class was going to be over my head. Those fears were quickly put to rest. Two days are definitely needed for this class. Jeopardy is a fantastic way to solidify and reinforce this information in our minds. The exercises were great!
- Excellent knowledge, well organized easy to read slides and book, clear presentation style. Lots of practical advice.
- Well organized and thorough, good starting class. Great energy and passion for the subject.
- Incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared to interpret the weather. It will take some time to internalize and better use the info but looking forward to continue learning. Thank you!
- I appreciate Mark's enthusiasm & knowledge of weather & forecasting weather. Best presentation I have had at my level (beginner) & I was able to understand!!! Fantastic!
- Very clear presentation of an often confusing subject. Best weather presentation I've ever seen.
About The Presenter
Mark Thornton has been boating on the Great Lakes for more than 30 years. Mark recently transitioned from sailing and now owns Osprey, a Mainship 34 Pilot. He is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.
He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Race to Mackinac since 2014. Mark is employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.
Click here to read about my marine weather forecasting seminars, webinars and presentations. Click here for the current schedule of educational programs.
Interested in reading and learning more about marine weather? A few times each year, I publish an article on an interesting marine weather event. Click here to subscribe to my 'no spam' email distribution list.
Email: Mark@LakeErieWX.com
Phone: 440.250.9179
Weather Skills for a Successful Race
February 18, 25, & March 4, 2025
Click here for details.
Great Lakes Marine Weather Essentials
February 20 & 27 and March 6 & 13, 2025
Click here for details.
Understanding & Avoiding Great Lakes Thunderstorms
March
18 & 25, 2025
Click here for details.
Marine Weather Forecasting
Cruisers University - Annapolis Boat Shows
October 2025
Click here for details.
Click here for the complete seminar schedule.
Seminar Reviews
"You have a passion for meteorology that is contagious and a gift for communicating a complex subject.".
Click here for more testimonials.