Mediterranean Weather Guide; by ATOL; Arretec Publishing,
1999; $22 + $3 p&p; CA 15630
Having used ATOL’s excellent weather website at www.sto-p.com/atol, I looked forward to reading their little handbook. Sadly I was disappointed both by the content and numerous typographical errors.
In the first half details are given of the sources of a wide range of forecasts obtainable by fax, internet, navtex and voice radio. However there are many surprising omissions, notably the Ch68 continuous forecast in English and Italian receivable throughout the central Mediterranean. Almost all the information here – and much more – is better laid out in Heikell’s Mediterranean Almanac.
The second half contains extracts from the US Navy weather guides from some three dozen ports, giving descriptions of seasonal weather patterns. Whilst these are useful for those particular ports, the geographic coverage is uneven. No wind roses are shown and there are no descriptions of wind patterns in the open sea areas, thus reducing the usefulness for passage planning.
Although I cannot recommend ATOL’s booklet, their website does contain a mass of very relevant forecast information and is a must to study both at home and from the internet cafés in the ports of the Mediterranean.- AMB
Page prepared 10th January 2000
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