Overview

Coastal and off-shore cruising requires many skills. Regardless of where your adventures may take you, no aspect of cruising is more important than an understanding of marine weather forecasting. During the 2-day Marine Weather Forecasting Masters Class, you will gain an understanding of basic weather principles and learn how to use a wide variety of weather forecasting resources. These skills will improve your cruise planning and reduce the likelihood that you 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.
• The terminology used by the National Weather Service during hazardous and severe weather events.
• 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 class will provide you with the skills to increase your self-reliance. The class, which is designed for beginner to intermediate forecasters, combines classroom instruction, case studies, hands-on forecasting exercises, and product demonstrations to create an engaging and entertaining learning experience.

Comments From Previous Seminars

• 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.

Visit the Cruisers University website (click here) to register for this seminar.

Please send questions regarding the seminar to Mark Thornton at Mark@LakeErieWX.com. Please click here to view the speaker's biography.

About The Presenter

Mark Thornton has been sailing for more than 25 years and currently owns Osprey, a C&C 35. His interest in weather forecasting grew from his experiences cruising and racing on the Great Lakes. Mark 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 Mackinac Race since 2014. Mark is also employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.