Marine Forecast FAQs

What is a "Marine Coastal Waters Forecast"?

National Weather Service marine forecast are specific to defined areas, that we call marine zones. Marine zones for coastal waters are defined from the coast to up to 60 nm from the coast line. Each zone is identified by a text description and a Universal Generic Code (UGC), e.g. Altamaha Sound to Fernanind Beach out to 20 nm.  Zones are divided to identify meteorlogically dissimilar areas. Marine zone forecasts outline the range of conditions which may be found within the entire zone. The size of a zone and the number of zones within a forecast product is a compromise between forecast accuracy and dissemination limitations. Click HERE for several different options to obtain marine zone forecasts.

NOTE....High seas forecasts track individual weather systems rather than subdividing the forecast area into zones and providing a forecast for each.

What is a "Marine Point Forecast"?

A National Weather Service "Marine Point Forecast" refers a text forecast for a single point. In actuality, the "point" is a single small rectangle which represents the resolution of the computer forecast models which is typically 1.5 by 1.5 miles. The point forecast is generated from a forecaster-generated gridded data set known as the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) also used to produce graphics. The NDFD is used as the basis for the majority of local public and marine forecasts.

Please Note: Being a forecast for a single point, the point forecast is very specific and mariners should also be aware of weather conditions in the surrounding area. Forecast information for the surrounding area can be found within the zone forecast and the NDFD graphics. Be aware, the forecast conditions at a particular point may not exceed the criteria of a Small Craft Advisory, Gale, Storm etc. These watches/warnings/advisories are issued for the entire zone in which the point resides and mariners should act accordingly.

Marine point forecasts are available as part of National Weather Service webpages popularly known as the "Point-and Click" pages. Included on these pages are the Forecast-at-a-Glance feature which allows a quick overview of forecast weather, a listing of any active warnings, watches or advisories, and links to an "Hourly Weather Graph" and other data of local interest. Marine "Point-and Click" pages are available HERE and via the maps found at the relevant forecast office. At the majority of offices clicking on the map will link to the marine zone forecast and then allow further zooming to the point of interest whereas on the Great Lakes, the first link is directly to a point forecast with the further option to link to the associated zone forecast which includes that point.