Strategies for winning. Meteorology in a round the world regatta from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Understanding maritime meteorology

In this module you will learn the foundations for an understanding of general and in particular maritime meteorology. What are the factors and engines powering the weather? What do we need to know to understand the weather phenomena we experience every day? What do ocean sailors need to know to predict the weather? Instructors: Tomàs Molina, Santi Serrat

Meteorological predictions

In this module you will learn: How meteorological predictions are made. What numerical weather models and equations look like. This will be explained by Tomàs Molina in Module 2.1 You will look at the forecasting structures that help us to interpret the information given by the models: Advection, troughs, ridges, barometric swamps and low pressure systems. These will be explained by Tomàs Molina in Module 2.2 What the basic prediction models used by sailors are. This will be explained by Marcel van Triest in Module 2.3 Remember you can access to the help forum . If you are experiencing difficulty learning or accessing course content, or if you simply want more information.

The sailor as meteorologist

In this module you will learn how sailors use meteorology to sail around the world and to win round the world regattas. All of their interest is focussed on the wind and they need theoretical, but above all practical, knowledge to help them to take the correct decisions at sea. Remember you can access to the help forum. If you are experiencing difficulty learning or accessing course content, or if you simply want more information.

Ocean regattas and meteorology

The science of meteorology is a fundamental part of any type of ocean navigation. In the case of yacht racing, it's importance is even greater, given that the wind is the force propelling the boat and is the key factor in formulating the strategy and tactics needed to win. However, the lead role of meteorology in a regatta is for safety, and that is something that the race organisers always make a priority. In Module 4.1 the general climatology for a regatta such as the Barcelona World Race is described, as well as the preparations the skippers make with the sails, the boat and other personal kit. In Module 4.2 you will learn how the Race Management of a regatta work together with the meteorologist to ensure that the information reaches the boats and to guarantee the maximum safety levels for the crews. In Module 4.3 the type of information the crews receive whilst out on the oceans is described, as well as the telecommunications systems used to make this happen. In Module 4.4 you will learn how weather information impacts on safety and you will look at the specific case of ice detection in the Southern Ocean.

Climatology and meteorology in the Barcelona World Race: From the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean

We begin now by going over the Barcelona World Race round the world route. In Module 5 you will learn about general and specific strategies for sailing from Barcelona to the Indian Ocean.

Climatology and meteorology in the Barcelona World Race: From the Indian Ocean to Gibraltar

In this module we are going to study the meteorology and strategy for the seas of the south of the planet. Down in the Southern Ocean is where the sailors go up against the toughest sailing conditions in the regatta and where they must also abide by safety restrictions due to the danger of floating ice. On the following pages, Marcel van Triest will analyse general strategy and also look at case studies from the Barcelona World Race 2010/11. In that edition, ice gates were used to restrict the fleet's descent south and to avoid boats heading into danger zones. For the 2014/15 edition, however, ice gates have been substituted by a “restriction zone”, a polygon with some 72 sides surrounding the Antarctic. In this video Marcel explains the general context of the passage through the Southern Ocean and reviews the routes taken in the 2010/11 edition of the race. They key difference in this edition is that the regatta does not take the boats through Cook Strait (New Zealand).

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops sailing meteorology and climatology, which is an exceptional niche skillset for yacht racing

Provides foundational knowledge in meteorology for sailors who wish to participate in a regatta

In-depth knowledge of how to use high-performance navigation software and interpret satellite data

Teaches predictive modeling, which can be applied to a variety of maritime and meteorological contexts

This course is directly applicable in the field of competitive sailing, specifically in preparation for the Barcelona World Race

Taught by experienced sailors and meteorologists, ensuring the content is both practical and theoretically sound

Reviews summary

Global sailing meteorology

According to reviews, this course is a great introduction to global meteorology with some sailing-specific applications. Students found it to be well-structured and informative, with engaging assignments. Quizzes were mentioned as being helpful for learning. Although some students found the video quality to be difficult to see at times and there were occasional translation issues, for most students, the course was informative and enjoyable.

Visual diagrams and charts support lectures

"I also had to research the difference between high and low pressure and how they are formed as I didn't find this clear."

"In my case, none of these flaws have had an effect on passing the exam quizzes."

Practical maritime meteorology applications

"As a deck cadet learning meteorology, this really helped show the practical weather considerations as well as giving a nice picture of the global circulation system."

"This course gave a good basic insight into meteorology and how it is used by Sailors. I particularly liked the case study section as it explained how the weather affects the Sailors tactical decisions."

Easy-to-understand explanations

"Lots of knowledge is given from these gentlemans, really impressed with the easy way that they teach all the contents..."

"I found the course very informative, a nice introduction to world meteorology."

Some translation issues present

"Gracias, muy interesante el curso. Sería bueno actualizar el contenido."

"it would be useful to see the questions and selected answer for the incorrect ones in the quiz, as it is hard to remember what one needs to review."

"The translation from spanish to english was often hard to follow"

Some videos were difficult to see

"Video at times difficult to see for lack of contrast."

"The projection in videos sometimes lack contrast, so some of the details (maps) are not clearly visible."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategies for winning. Meteorology in a round the world regatta with these activities:

Review Weather Concepts

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Refreshes understanding of basic weather concepts and terminology for a smoother learning path

Browse courses on Meteorology

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Read through basic weather terminology and definitions
Review basic weather patterns and how they are influenced by factors such as pressure, temperature, and humidity
Watch a weather forecast and identify the different types of weather fronts and systems being discussed

Review Meteorology Basics

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Build a stronger understanding of basic meteorology prior to taking the course.

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Review the concept of wind, temperature, and humidity.
Identify different types of weather patterns.

Practice Weather Forecasting Using Online Resources

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Provides hands-on practice in using online weather forecasting tools and interpreting weather data

Browse courses on Weather Forecasting

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Locate online weather forecasting websites or apps
Select a specific location and time period
Analyze the weather data provided, including temperature, wind speed and direction, and precipitation
Compare the forecasts from different sources and evaluate their accuracy

Six other activities

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Practice Predicting Weather Patterns

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Develop the ability to predict weather patterns using various data sources.

Browse courses on Weather Prediction

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Analyze historical weather data to identify patterns.
Apply weather prediction models to forecast future weather events.

Practice Weather Map Interpretation

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Enhance forecasting skills by practicing the analysis and interpretation of weather maps, including weather fronts and pressure systems.

Browse courses on Weather Forecasting

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Obtain weather maps from reputable sources.
Identify symbols and patterns representing different weather phenomena.
Predict weather patterns based on map data.

Create a Comprehensive Study Guide

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Consolidates course materials for efficient review and knowledge retention

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Gather all relevant course materials, such as lecture notes, presentations, readings, and assignments
Condense and organize the information, identifying key concepts and summarizing important details
Incorporate visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and maps to enhance understanding
Review the study guide regularly to reinforce learning

Follow Online Courses on Ocean Meteorology

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Expands knowledge of ocean meteorology and its specific impact on sailing

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Identify reputable online platforms offering courses on ocean meteorology
Enroll in a beginner-friendly course to gain a foundational understanding
Complete the course modules, engaging with interactive exercises and quizzes
Apply the learned concepts to real-world sailing scenarios

Explore Advanced Weather Forecasting Tools

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Develop proficiency in using specialized weather forecasting software and tools to refine predictive capabilities.

Browse courses on Predictive Modeling

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Identify recommended software and online resources for weather forecasting.
Follow tutorials or online courses on software functionality.
Apply software to real-world weather data and analyze results.

Share Sailing Meteoreology Knowledge

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Reinforce learning and enhance communication skills by sharing knowledge and providing guidance to fellow students or individuals interested in sailing meteorology.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify opportunities to mentor others, such as joining online forums or participating in sailing clubs.
Prepare materials or presentations to share knowledge effectively.
Provide constructive feedback and support to mentees.

Career center

Learners who complete Strategies for winning. Meteorology in a round the world regatta will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Meteorologist

Meteorologists study the atmosphere, weather, and climate. This course would be very helpful for someone interested in becoming a meteorologist, as it provides foundational knowledge on weather and climate patterns. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for meteorologists, who use weather data to forecast the weather.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meteorologist

Oceanographer

Oceanographers study the oceans, including their physical, chemical, and biological properties. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming an oceanographer, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for oceanographers, who use weather data to forecast the weather and ocean conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer

Weather Forecaster

Weather forecasters provide weather forecasts to the public, businesses, and organizations. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a weather forecaster, as it provides foundational knowledge on weather patterns and forecasting. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for weather forecasters, who use weather data to forecast the weather.

See salaries and explore the career path for Weather Forecaster

Climatologist

Climatologists study climate, including its patterns, changes, and impacts on the environment and society. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a climatologist, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate patterns, changes, and modeling. The course also covers how to use climate data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for climatologists, who use climate data to forecast climate trends and changes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climatologist

Atmospheric Scientist

Atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere, including its composition, structure, and dynamics. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming an atmospheric scientist, as it provides foundational knowledge on atmospheric weather and climate patterns. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for atmospheric scientists, who use weather data to forecast weather conditions and patterns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Atmospheric Scientist

Chemical Oceanographer

Chemical oceanographers study the chemical properties of the ocean, including its composition, cycling, and reactions. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a chemical oceanographer, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns and their impact on ocean chemistry. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for chemical oceanographers, who use weather data to forecast ocean conditions and patterns and their impact on ocean chemistry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Oceanographer

Physical Oceanographer

Physical oceanographers study the physical properties of the ocean, including its temperature, salinity, and circulation. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a physical oceanographer, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for physical oceanographers, who use weather data to forecast ocean conditions and patterns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Oceanographer

Biological Oceanographer

Biological oceanographers study the biological properties of the ocean, including its plants, animals, and microorganisms. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a biological oceanographer, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns and their impact on marine life. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for biological oceanographers, who use weather data to forecast ocean conditions and patterns and their impact on marine life.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment, including its physical, chemical, and biological components. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming an environmental scientist, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate and weather patterns and their impact on the environment. The course also covers how to use climate and weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for environmental scientists, who use climate and weather data to forecast environmental trends and changes.

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Climate Modeler

Climate modelers develop and use computer models to simulate the climate system. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a climate modeler, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate patterns, changes, and modeling. The course also covers how to use climate data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for climate modelers, who use climate data to forecast climate trends and changes.

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Ocean Engineer

Ocean engineers design, build, and maintain structures and systems in the ocean. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming an ocean engineer, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns and their impact on ocean structures and systems. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for ocean engineers, who use weather data to forecast ocean conditions and patterns and their impact on ocean structures and systems.

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Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a hydrologist, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate and weather patterns and their impact on water resources. The course also covers how to use climate and weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for hydrologists, who use climate and weather data to forecast water availability and quality.

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Marine Biologist

Marine biologists study the biology of marine organisms, including their behavior, ecology, and evolution. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a marine biologist, as it provides foundational knowledge on ocean weather and climate patterns and their impact on marine life. The course also covers how to use weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for marine biologists, who use weather data to forecast ocean conditions and patterns and their impact on marine life.

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Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's physical structure, composition, and history. This course would be helpful for someone interested in becoming a geologist, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate and weather patterns and their impact on the Earth's physical structure. The course also covers how to use climate and weather data to make predictions. This is an essential skill for geologists, who use climate and weather data to forecast geological events and changes.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on environmental issues. This course may be helpful for someone interested in becoming an environmental consultant, as it provides foundational knowledge on climate and weather patterns and their impact on the environment. The course also covers how to use climate and weather data to make predictions.

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