NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARINE PRODUCTS VIA EMWIN
EMWIN,
the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network, is now evolving into
a fully operational and supported NWS service, in partnership with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA)
and other public and private organizations.
EMWIN is a suite of methods of making available a live datastream of
basic text and graphic weather data, and providing access to stored sets of basic
unenhanced
data, using a variety of techniques and technologies. Each method has advantages
and disadvantages over the others, hence this multilayered approach to
enable multiple methods of availability. The EMWIN datastream includes
virtually all NWS products which are of potential interest to mariners.
EMWIN systems can also be programmed to sound an alarm in cases of severe
weather. EMWIN's present methods in use or
under development for disseminating the basic EMWIN datastream include:
Radio -- limited number cooperative VHF/UHF stations
Internet --
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/main.html or FTP download
Satellite -- GOES 8, GOES 9, etc.
Regrettably, radio broadcast of EMWIN via VHF/UHF to coastal areas is virtually
nonexistent at
the current time. Cooperative arrangements with private and public organizations are
being
established to promote growth of a nationwide VHF/UHF EMWIN network. Direct Internet
access is also problematic for mariners at sea. EMWIN reception via the current GOES
satellite
network is technically challenging for ships as a directional antenna is
required.
Visit the EMWIN
webpage for the latest information on commercially available equipment and
software for
EMWIN reception. The EMWIN service is free of charge.
EMWIN's greatest immediate potential for mariners is for those having access to the
Internet
which could include shoreside establishments such as yacht clubs, marinas, fire, police
and Coast
Guard stations.
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