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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
858 AM EDT Sat May 18 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK BEGINS...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe
Boating Council has declared May 18 through May 24 2024 National
Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across the
Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today`s topic is knowing the forecast before you go out. Before
heading out on the waters, whether on the Great Lakes or at many of
the region`s inland lakes, understanding a marine forecast is
critical to safe boating. Weather and wave conditions can change
suddenly, catching boaters off-guard and creating life-threatening
conditions.

Typical marine forecasts found at weather.gov/greatlakes and
weather.gov/buf and on NOAA weather radio include wind speed and
direction, wave heights and expected weather conditions. Forecast
wave heights are Significant Wave Height, which is defined as the
average of the top one third of the wave spectrum.  A few waves in
the wave spectrum will be higher than the forecast. Wind conditions
can vary from the forecast in some locations due to localized
effects from the shoreline.  Waves can also vary from the forecast
in some locations due to localized effects from water current, and
the bathymetry of the underlying lake floor.

Boaters should plan for a range of conditions and take particular
note of any current advisories and warnings, including small craft
advisories, gale or storm warnings which alert mariners to either
high winds or waves occurring now or forecast to occur in the next
day or two.

Special marine warnings are issued for winds of over 34 knots or
39 miles per hour, water spouts and hail of 3/4 inches or greater
and indicate a more immediate threat. Marine weather statements
bring attention to significant rapidly changing conditions on the
water including a sudden increase in winds, non severe
thunderstorms, development of dense fog or strong and gusty rain
showers.

If you go out on the water, you should have a marine VHF
radio equipped with a weatherband to receive the latest broadcast
from NOAA weather radio. If you venture beyond 25 nautical miles
from the shore you should make sure you are outfitted with
sufficient radio and communications systems.

To obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information from
the NWS, visit weather.gov/greatlakes, weather.gov or listen to NOAA
Weather Radio. For more information about boating safety visit
weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and safeboatingcampaign.com

$$