Weather at Sea

The weather affects everyone at sea, whether you are pottering along the coast, motoring from port to port or sailing to another continent. This book explains the basic principles that govern the weather from a practical, on the water, sailor's point of view. It goes through global, regional and then local weather patterns so you understand what is happening, how this might change and why. Armed with this knowledge and understanding you will be more confident to make decisions about when and when not to venture out to sea and what to expect if things change while you are out there.

Simon Rowell shares his experience as a round-the world skipper and world-class weather forecaster. He explains the basic physics creatively and puts it in context with real situations to enable you to apply weather theory to practical sailing scenarios. Hundreds of illustrations aid the communication of what can be a complex subject, enabling you to better understand the weather and increase your enjoyment and safety when out on the water.

Praise for Weather at Sea

"With scarcely a page without colourful illustration, nine chapters guide the cruising skipper from global weather patterns, through the boundary layer to clouds, all in a straightforward narrative that is free from jargon and other gobbledegook… It is a nicely produced soft-back volume that handles well and is interesting reading for sailor or landlubber alike."
— Cruising Association

"If you want to know more about forecasting the weather or how it may affect your plans, then this is the book for you."
— Lifeboat

"This little book explains the basic physics principles that govern the weather from a practical, on the water, sailor's point of view. As we can expect from Fernhurst, the author presents in readily understandable graphic form the global, regional and then local weather patterns to explain what is happening on the spot and how situations might change. Numerous illustrations complement the text."
— Julian Stockwin

"Considering what it covers, this is a pretty thin book, just 94 pages in fact, which is a relief to those in need of a quick refresher course. It would also do great service as a fast reference work as it covers all the concepts you are likely to need at sea."
— Classic Boat

"In this slim book there is so much valuable technical information about why and how weather systems develop and play out… most of us would find it to be an invaluable on-board companion."
— Royal Cruising Club

About the Author

Simon Rowell is a world-class weather forecaster and yachting professional. He has skippered a yacht to victory in the Clipper Round the World Race and has been forecaster for that race since 2011. Since 2015 he has been the meteorologist for the British Olympic Sailing Team.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy racing. The list soon expanded to include cruising and other watersports. In 2006 the business was sold to John Wiley, but in 2013 a group of sailing enthusiasts (including the original founder) bought the list and name back, once again creating an independent nautical publisher owned and run by sailors. Fernhurst continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Their 140+ titles range from how-to guides to narrative to coffee-table books, covering sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming, diving and fishing.