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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RETIRES ITS
COASTAL WARNING DISPLAY PROGRAM
As of February 15, 1989, the National Weather Service retired
its Coastal Warning Display network nationwide.
For over 100 years, display stations were established at
yacht clubs, marinas, and Coast Guard stations to hoist
flags, pennants and colored lights to warn mariners of storms
at sea. The display stations were individually notified
by the National Weather Service to raise the signals and
again to lower them when the hazards passed. The National
Weather Service paid for the visual signals; however, the
display stations were operated by other agencies or volunteers.
Although the Coastal Warning Display program has been formally
discontinued, U.S. Coast Guard and other stations may continue
to display warning signals without the direct participation
of the National Weather Service.
The Coastal Warning Display program was de-emphasized in
favor of frequently updated telephone
recordings and NOAA Weather Radio. The latter covers
the coastal areas of continental United States, Alaska,
Hawaii, and the Mariana Islands with continuous weather
broadcasts. The major shortcomings of the Coastal Warning
Display program were that the displays reached only the
small portion of the marine public within sight of them;
it cannot convey specific information on movement, intensity,
and duration; and the time required to notify the sites
by individual telephone calls takes the forecaster away
from critical tasks associated with the weather. Further,
when users perceive them to be a full substitute for NOAA
Weather Radio, other radio broadcasts, and the telephone
recordings, they are actually being a disservice.
Coastal Warning Display Signals
DAYTIME SIGNALS
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY
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GALE WARNING
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STORM WARNING
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HURRICANE WARNING
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NIGHT (LIGHT) SIGNALS
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY
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GALE WARNING
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STORM WARNING
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HURRICANE WARNING
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Explanation of Warnings
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY: To alert mariners to sustained
(more than two hours) weather or sea conditions, either
present or forecast, that might be hazardous to small boats.
If a mariner notices a Small Craft Advisory pennant displayed
he should determine immediately the reason by tuning his
radio to the latest marine broadcast. Decision as to the
degree of hazard will be left up to the boatman, based on
his experience and size and type of boat.
There is no legal definition of "small craft". The Small Craft Advisory is an advisory in Coastal Waters and Nearshore forecasts for sustained winds, frequent gusts, or sea/wave conditions, exceeding defined thresholds specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be hazardous to small boats.
Eastern (ME..SC, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario) - Sustained winds ranging between 25 and 33 knots (except 20 to 25
knots, lower threshold area dependent, to 33 knots for harbors, bays,
etc.) and/or seas/waves 5 to 7 feet and greater, area dependent.
Central (WI..OH) - Sustained winds or frequent gusts between 22 and 33 knots inclusive, and/or seas/waves greater than 4 feet.
Southern (GA..TX and Caribbean) - Sustained winds of 20 to 33 knots, and/or forecast seas 7 feet or greater that are/is expected for more than 2 hours.
Western (WA..CA) - Sustained winds of 21 to 33 knots. A Small Craft Advisory for
Hazardous Seas is issued for seas 10 feet or greater.
Alaska (AK) - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 23 to 33 knots. A small craft
advisory for rough seas may be issued for sea/wave conditions deemed
locally significant, based on customer needs, and should be no lower
than 8 feet.
Pacific (HI, Guam, etc) - Sustained winds: northwest through east/southeast winds of 25 to33 knots for the coastal waters (30 to 33 knots for the channels
between the islands); southeast through west winds of 20 to 33 knots
for both coastal waters and channel winds. Swells: open ocean swells 10 feet and greater; swells 6 feet and
greater with short periods (6 to 8 seconds); south swell 4 feet and
greater with long periods (13 seconds and greater); north and northeast
swells 5 feet and greater with long periods.
“Frequent gusts”are typically long duration conditions (greater than 2 hours).
For a list of NWS Weather Offices by Region, refer to the following website:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/organization.php
GALE WARNING: To indicate winds within the range
34 to 47 knots are forecast for the area.
STORM WARNING: To indicate winds 48 knots and above,
no matter how high the speed, are forecast for the area.
However, if the winds are associated with a tropical cyclone
(hurricane), the STORM WARNING indicates that winds within
the range 48-63 knots are forecast.
HURRICANE WARNING: Issued only in connection with
a tropical cyclone (hurricane) to indicate that winds 64
knots and above are forecast for the area.
NOTE: A "HURRICANE WATCH" is an announcement issued
by the National Weather Service via press and television
broadcasts whenever a tropical storm or hurricane becomes
a threat to a coastal area. The "Hurricane Watch" announcement
is not a warning, rather it indicates that the hurricane
is near enough that everyone in the area covered by the
"Watch" should listen to their radios for subsequent advisories
and be ready to take precautionary action in case hurricane
warnings are issued.
NOTE: A SPECIAL MARINE WARNING is issued whenever
a severe local storm or strong wind of brief duration is
imminent and is not covered by existing warnings or advisories.
No visual displays will be used in connection with the Special
Marine Warning Bulletin; boaters will be able to receive
these special warnings by keeping tuned to a NOAA Weather
Radio station or to Coast Guard and commercial radio stations
that transmit marine weather information.
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