Did you know that a gradient wind coming from the same direction as a sea breeze does not enhance the sea breeze but reduces it? Find out why with many other facets about the weather in this comprehensive course.

This course has been written with separate and individual contributions from Dr. Roger Badham, Consulting Meteorologist and Kenn Batt of the Bureau of Meteorology. It is in plain English for ease of understanding by sailors of all levels of experience.

The course does not require you to have reached any particular level of practical sailing. However it will benefit the novice as well as the "old hands".

The course comes in 4 Parts with each Part containing an Assessment Sheet. This is completed and returned for marking. The Sheet with your marks, and Answer prompt Sheet and the next Part are then dispatched.

The course material covers the following topics: -

• Part 1 - The Atmosphere, Temperature, Forces of pressure, Coriolis, Centrifuge and Friction Synoptic weather patterns, Frontal weather systems.
• Part 2 - Sea Breezes, Land breezes and Mountain/Valley winds, Cloud formation and types, Rain and Hail, Sea fog, Ocean temperatures, circulation.
• Part 3 - Dangerous Weather systems including Cyclones, East Coast Low, Southerly Busters, Thunderstorms, Lightening/Thunder, Westerly Gales, Downbursts, Freak waves, Tornadoes at sea. Forecasting weather and wind associated with Highs, Depressions, Fronts, Cyclones and Thunderstorms.
• Part 4 - Understanding Wind Sea safety with Cyclones, East Coast Lows and Thunderstorms.

The following are the theory component levels that can be attained: -

Up to 50% Small Craft Safety (Competent Crew) Weather
50% to 70% Inshore shorebased (Inshore Skipper) Meteorology
70% to 85% CoastalSkipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased Meteorology Above
85% Yachtmaster Ocean Meteorology.
A pass at a level qualifies for endorsement at all prior levels.