NOAA: Modernized Great Lakes Forecast

[jimh]

Many thanks to David (aka HOOSIER) for alerting me to a new Great Lakes forecast format being trialed by NOAA. The “modernized” (NOAA’s term) lake-by-lake and individual coastline stretch forecasts are available at

https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/modernized

The referring page that points to these new forecast products is

https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/

NOAA comments on the new format:

Open Lake Forecast (GLF) is a text product issued by five primary Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices. It is written mainly in a sentence style which adds extra length to the forecast. This page shows an alternate format for the information and we want to know if this is easier to read and if you find this helpful.

[jimh]

Here is a sample:

FZUS53 KAPX 220905
NSHAPX

Experimental Tabular Nearshore Marine Forecast for Michigan
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
505 AM EDT Thu Aug 22 2019

Waves are the significant wave height - the average of the highest 1/3 of the wave spectrum. Occasional wave height is the average of the highest 1/10 of the wave spectrum.

.SYNOPSIS...A WEAK AREA OF LOW PRESSURE, 30.10 INCHES, WILL TRAVERSE THE CENTRAL GREAT LAKES REGION TODAY AND LEAVE A FRONTAL BOUNDARY STALLED OVER THE AREA TONIGHT. THIS FRONT WILL REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY THROUGH THE WEEKEND, AS A SPRAWLING HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM BUILDS EAST ACROSS SOUTHERN CANADA.

(Many individualized forecasts for various stretches of shoreline given; here is one for my area:)

LMZ344-221400-
Sleeping Bear Point to Grand Traverse Light MI-
505 AM EDT Thu Aug 22 2019

.Today...
Weather.............Mostly sunny.
Sfc winds...........North 10 to 15 knots.
100-ft winds........North 15 to 20 knots.
Sig waves...........1 to 3 feet.

.TONIGHT...
Weather.............Partly cloudy, then slight chance of showers after midnight.
Sfc winds...........Northeast 10 to 15 knots.
100-ft winds........Northeast 15 to 20 knots.
Sig waves...........2 to 4 feet.

.FRIDAY...
Weather.............Mostly sunny.
Sfc winds...........North 10 to 15 knots.
100-ft winds........North 15 to 20 knots.
Sig waves...........1 to 3 feet.

.FRIDAY NIGHT...
Weather.............Mostly clear.
Sfc winds...........Northeast 5 to 10 knots until early morning becoming light and variable.
100-ft winds........Northeast 10 to 15 knots until early morning becoming light and variable.
Sig waves...........2 feet or less.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5...

.SATURDAY...East winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
.SUNDAY...Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
.MONDAY...Chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. showers likely after midnight. South winds 15 to 20 knots. Waves 2 to 4 feet.

[Hoosier]

NOAA is asking for input about the new format. There is a survey link on the page that Jim referenced. It has been my experience in dealing with the local NWS forecast offices that the are very responsive and actually read their email.