A view of Gloucester Harbor in the early morning. Photo: Getty Images
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The National Weather Service is trying out a new forecast to help boaters on the coasts, and Boston is one of its focus areas.
The experimental "Coastal Waters Forecast" gives boaters more details on sea conditions off our shores.
"We're just trying to provide that information to the mariner to help them make better decisions to protect life and property," said NWS Boston Meteorologist Matthew Belk.
The new forecast goes into deeper detail about the waves boaters face along the coast, including exact direction, height and period. The period of a wave measures how fast the waves are coming — shorter wave periods create rougher seas for smaller boats. This information can be critical to boaters trying to decide when and where to cast off.
There are 14 other coastal offices are trying out the forecasts, and Belk says if they are successful and prove useful to mariners, the forecasts will be expanded to every coastal office.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) has more:
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