This course is not currently offered by Vancouver Squadron

The course will cover many of the significant aspects of the formation and behaviour of the weather around us. It is presented in a straight-forward form, eliminating much of the technical "jargon", and is designed as an introductory weather course for those who want a more practical approach. By recording a few simple observations every day and comparing them in class, each boater sees the application of the text and lecture material to the "real world".

Detailed Course Outline

The course will cover many of the significant asects of the formation and behaviour of the weather around us. Meteorology - or the scientific study of the principles of weather - can be somewhat technical. This course has been presented in a straightforward form which has eliminated much of the technical "jargon", while retaining the essence of the material.

You will discover that the subject of weather is both fascinating and satisfying. All it will need is your enthusiasm to observe and record the daily "goings-on" of the air in which we live and the water on which we boat. With practice, it will even become possible for you to make a short-term forecast. You will not always be right, but neither are professional forecasters, and you will have satisfaction - and fun - doing it!

Enjoy the course!

Course Outline

1. 1.0 How the Sun Causes Weather
   • 1.1 The Atmosphere
   • 1.2 The Troposphere, Tropopause, and Stratosphere
   • 1.3 How the Sun Causes Weather
   • 1.4 The Earth's Heat Budget, and How It Is Balanced
   • 1.5 Why Is the Sky Blue, Daddy?
2. 2.0 What Causes the Wind To Blow
   • 2.1 What Is Pressure?
   • 2.2 Measurement of Barometric Pressure
     • The Mercury Barometer
     • The Aneroid Barometer
   • 2.3 High and Low Pressures-Airflow and Circulation
   • 2.4 Land and Sea Breezes
   • 2.5 High and Low Pressure Patterns
   • 2.6 Buys-Ballot's Law
   • 2.7 The Beaufort Scale
   • 2.8 Marine Weather Warnings
   • 2.9 Winds and Waves
3. 3.0 Water in the Atmosphere
   • 3.1 The Different States of Water
     • Water Vapour
     • Liquid Water
     • Ice
   • 3.2 The Hydrologic Cycle
   • 3.3 Precipitation
     • Rain
     • Drizzle
     • Snow
     • Freezing Rain
     • Freezing Drizzle
     • Hail
   • 3.4 Fog
     • Radiation Fog
     • Dew or Frost?
     • Advection Fog
     • Frontal Fog
     • Upslope Fog
     • Smog
     • Play It Safe in Fog
4. 4.0 Clouds-The Signposts of the Skies
   • 4.1 Clouds and Cloud Classification
   • 4.2 Cloud Shape
   • 4.3 Cloud Height
   • 4.4 Cloud Types
     • High Clouds
     • Medium Clouds
     • Low Clouds
     • Clouds of Vertical Development
   • 4.5 Other Cloud Types
   • 4.6 Vapour Trails, or Contrails
   • 4.7 Low Clouds as Weather Indicators
5. 5.0 Fronts and Frontal Weather
   • 5.1 What Is a Front?
   • 5.2 Warm Fronts
   • 5.3 Weather Patterns Associated with Warm Fronts
     • Precipitation
     • Pressure
     • Temperature
     • Wind
   • 5.4 Cold Fronts
   • 5.5 Weather Patterns Associated with Cold Fronts
     • Precipitation
     • Pressure
     • Temperature
     • Wind
   • 5.6 Stationary Fronts
   • 5.7 Frontal Depressions
   • 5.8 Occlusions
   • 5.9 TROWAL
   • 5.10 The Jet Stream
6. 6.0 Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
   • 6.1 Thunderstorms
   • 6.2 Equilibrium of the Atmosphere-Stability and Instability
   • 6.3 What Causes Air To Rise?
   • 6.4 Air Mass Thunderstorms
     • The Development Stage
     • The Mature Stage
     • The Dissipating Stage
   • 6.5 Cold Front Thunderstorms
   • 6.6 Lightning
   • 6.7 Thunder
   • 6.8 What Can We Do To Be Safe During a Thunderstorm?
     • Before You Set Out
     • If You See a Thunderstorm Coming
     • During the Storm
   • 6.9 Tornadoes
     • Tornado Formation
     • Tornado Characteristics
     • Tornado Precautions
   • 6.10 Waterspouts
7. 7.0 Forecasting the Weather
   • 7.1 Forecast First-Sail Later
   • 7.2 Weather Forecasts
   • 7.3 Sources of Weather Forecasts
   • 7.4 Know Your Own Boating Area
   • 7.5 Weather Log
   • 7.6 Your Own Forecast!
   • 7.7 Some Weather Trivia