Actualización de Corriente de Marea
New information on rate and set of tidal current issued by VTS or hydrographic authority for local area.
View termCategories
Meteorology
Browse Meteorology terms for maritime professionals.
Languages
Alerta de Condición de Cegamiento
A warning indicating that visual navigation is severely hindered due to uniformly diffuse light caused by snow, ice, or fog, often resulting in total loss of horizon distinction.
View termAlerta de Cresta de Presión
A notice regarding the formation or presence of elevated ice ridges on sea ice, which may pose navigational hazards to vessels in polar waters.
View termAlerta de Frente Ocluido
Notification that a mature occluded front will pass the vessel’s vicinity, often associated with variable winds and squally showers.
View termAlerta de Tifón
Highest-level tropical-cyclone warning issued by JMA or PAGASA for winds ≥64 kt, heavy seas and extreme storm surge threatening coastal and open-sea areas.
View termAlerta Derrame de Petróleo
Immediate notification that mineral oil is observed on sea surface requiring containment and reporting under MARPOL 73/78.
View termAlerta Línea de Turbonada
Notification that organised line of squalls with gusts ≥ 34 kn is approaching, often ahead of cold front.
View termAproximación de Frente Cálido
Indication that a warm air mass front is advancing toward the vessel’s area, typically bringing steady rain and veering winds.
View termAproximación de Frente Frío
A message or forecast that a cold front is moving into the operational area, often accompanied by abrupt wind shift, falling temperatures, and changing sea state.
View termAviso de Acretación de Hielo
Notice that superstructure icing rate exceeds 2 cm h⁻¹ due to freezing precipitation or spray, requiring anti-icing measures.
View termAviso de Actividad Eléctrica
Alert issued when frequent cloud-to-ground or cloud-to-cloud lightning poses immediate risk to deck personnel and sensitive equipment.
View termAviso de altura de ola
A warning issued to vessels regarding anticipated significant wave heights exceeding safe operating limits.
View termAviso de Banco de Niebla
Notice to mariners of localised fog banks that may suddenly reduce visibility and require speed reduction or additional lookout.
View termAviso de Ciclón
Official alert issued when a tropical cyclone with gale-force winds is expected to affect a maritime area within 24 hours.
View termAviso de Corriente Costera
Official notice to mariners about significant changes, hazards, or anomalies in coastal water currents affecting safe navigation.
View termAviso de Corriente Superficial
Official MSI or VHF message advising mariners that abnormally strong or variable surface currents exist in a defined area and may affect safe navigation.
View termAviso de Formación de Neblina
An official advisory indicating that atmospheric conditions are favorable for mist development, which may lower visibility and affect navigation safety.
View termAviso de Fragmentos de Hielo
Message issued by ice services or VTS indicating dangerous concentrations of brash ice likely to impede manoeuvring or clog sea intakes.
View termAviso de Growler Ice
Alert indicating presence of small, dense glacial ice blocks (growlers) scarcely visible above water, posing collision risk.
View termAviso de Huracán
A formal announcement by maritime or meteorological authorities indicating that hurricane conditions, including very high winds and heavy seas, are expected in the area.
View termAviso de Lluvia Helada
GMDSS forecast message indicating super-cooled rain likely to freeze on contact, causing rapid ice accretion on decks and rigging.
View termAviso de Lluvia Intensa
GMDSS meteorological message signalling precipitation rate ≥ 50 mm in 6 h, causing reduced visibility and risk of runoff.
View termAviso de Lluvias Torrenciales
An official advisory issued to warn of intense and prolonged rainfall that may severely reduce visibility and increase risk of flooding and navigation hazards.
View termAviso de Marea de Tempestad
An official alert issued to vessels regarding an abnormally high rise of sea level due to meteorological effects, especially during storms.
View termAviso de Marejada Ciclónica
Warning that abnormal sea-level rise due to cyclonic surge is expected in coastal area, requiring preventive mooring and evacuation measures.
View termAviso de Nevada Intensa
Forecast advising imminent heavy snowfall reducing visibility below 0.5 nm and affecting mooring or channel transit.
View termAviso de Niebla Densa
Warning issued when visibility expected below one-half nautical mile due to thick fog, requiring sound signals and speed reduction.
View termAviso de Niebla Helada
An advisory issued to warn vessels of freezing fog conditions, which may cause ice accumulation on decks, equipment, and navigation structures.
View termAviso de Niebla Marina
Notice that horizontal visibility at sea will fall below one kilometre due to advection or radiation fog.
View termAviso de Ola de Frío
An official warning issued to inform mariners of an expected period of unusually low temperatures, which may affect vessel systems and crew safety.
View termAviso de Paso Frontal
A formal advisory issued by maritime authorities warning vessels of an approaching frontal system likely to bring sudden changes in wind, temperature, and visibility conditions.
View termAviso de Rocío Congelante
GMDSS meteorological warning that sea spray will freeze on exposed surfaces causing topside icing hazards.
View termAviso de Temporal
A warning issued to mariners when sustained winds of Beaufort Force 8 or higher (34–40 knots) are expected or occurring in the area.
View termAviso de Tormenta
A formal notification from maritime or meteorological authorities indicating strong winds, heavy seas, and potentially hazardous conditions are expected in the designated area.
View termAviso de Tormenta Tropical
An official advisory issued to warn vessels that a tropical storm may affect the area within 48 hours. Mariners should closely monitor forecasts and prepare for possible severe weather.
View termAviso de Visibilidad Reducida
A formal alert issued to vessels when fog, mist, precipitation, or other factors are expected to lower visibility below safe navigation thresholds.
View termBoletín de Riesgo de Manga Marina
An official maritime bulletin advising of the risk of waterspout formation in a specific sea area, requiring heightened lookout and precautionary measures.
View termBoletín de Tormenta Severa
Official GMDSS warning message indicating winds ≥ Beaufort 10, heavy seas and reduced visibility within forecast area.
View termBoletín Meteorológico GMDSS
Scheduled meteorological broadcast issued via NAVTEX, HF, MF or satellite under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
View termCarta de Presión Superficial
Synoptic weather map depicting isobars and pressure systems at mean sea level, used for routeing decisions.
View termConcentración de Hielo Marino
A measure (usually in tenths) of the area of a sea region covered by ice, provided in ice bulletins to support safe navigation and routing.
View termContenido de Calor Oceánico
Measure of thermal energy stored in the upper ocean layers, used to assess cyclone potential and climate trends.
View termCresta de alta presión
An elongated area of high atmospheric pressure, typically associated with calm weather and stable sea conditions.
View termEjercicio de Control de Contaminación
Planned harbour drill simulating oil-spill response, including boom deployment, skimmer operation and multi-agency communications testing.
View termExpansión de Hielo Fijo
Rapid seaward growth of shore-fast ice, restricting manoeuvring space and increasing risk of besetment for vessels.
View termInforme de basura marina
A report made to authorities or VTS regarding observed floating or drifting marine debris that may pose a hazard to navigation.
View termInforme de Borde de Hielo
Update giving the geographic position of the ice edge separating open water from pack ice, critical for polar routing.
View termInforme de Código Sinóptico
A standardized numerical weather message (per WMO/IMO) reporting synoptic-scale observations, transmitted by ships for meteorological analysis and forecasting.
View termInforme de Datos Oceanográficos
A formal report or transmission containing oceanographic data such as temperature, salinity, current, and sea state, as collected by shipboard sensors or via official request.
View termInforme de Dirección de Oleaje
Statement giving the dominant direction, height and period of the prevailing ocean swell for route planning and seakeeping.
View termInforme de Dirección del Viento
An official meteorological report or observation stating the current direction from which the wind is blowing, vital for navigation and maneuvering.
View termInforme de Estado del Mar
Periodic description of significant wave height, period and swell state transmitted for routing and safety assessments.
View termInforme de Observación de Calima
A message reporting reduced visibility due to haze, specifying affected areas and visibility range, commonly issued for safety in coastal and open sea zones.
View termInforme de Presión Barométrica
Regularly transmitted statement of current atmospheric pressure and trend for meteorological data exchange and storm tracking.
View termInforme de Tendencia Barométrica
Synoptic code group summarising rate and character of atmospheric pressure change during past three hours, broadcast in SHIP and METAR messages.
View termInspección Antiincrustante
Port state or class survey checking hull coating compliance with IMO AFS Convention and assessing biological growth.
View termIntercambio de Agua de Lastre
Operation of replacing loaded ballast with mid-ocean water at prescribed distance from land to prevent bio-invasion, logged under IMO BWM Convention.
View termInventario de Gases de Efecto Invernadero
Comprehensive report of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from vessel operations for regulatory compliance and environmental management.
View termNotificación de Impacto Ambiental
Formal notification detailing projected ecological effects of vessel operations or construction works, issued for regulatory approval.
View termObservación meteorológica del buque
Recorded meteorological observations from ships, submitted to authorities or meteorological agencies for forecasting and safety.
View termPerspectiva de Tormentas
Prognostic bulletin giving probability, timing and movement of convective cells within shipping area.
View termPlan de gestión de bioincrustaciones
A documented system required by IMO for vessels to manage and minimize the accumulation of aquatic organisms on hulls and submerged structures.
View termPredicción de Deriva de Hielo
Forecast of movement and speed of pack or floe ice issued by ice service for route planning.
View termPredicción de Marea Alta
Forecast information regarding the timing and height of the next incoming (flood) tide, crucial for safe navigation and berthing operations.
View termPredicción de Marea Ebb
Tabulated forecast time and rate of falling tide current used for harbour passage planning.
View termProcedimiento de Control COV
Shipboard plan to minimise Volatile Organic Compound emissions during loading, voyage and discharge of crude oil cargoes per IMO Resolution 1088(28).
View termProcedimiento de Mitigación de Ruido
Harbour authority directive requiring vessels to minimise machinery and whistle noise, especially at night, to protect nearby communities and sensitive wildlife.
View termPronóstico de Deriva de Iceberg
A prediction of the future movement and position of icebergs in a given maritime area, based on meteorological and oceanographic data, issued to assist in safe navigation.
View termRecepción de Carta Radiofax
Confirmation that a complete facsimile weather chart has been successfully received via HF radio and is ready for navigation use.
View termRegistro de Descarga de Basura
A mandatory logbook entry or record made by the ship to document every instance of garbage discharge or disposal at sea or at port, as required by MARPOL regulations.
View termReporte de Fragmento de Hielo
An official communication or broadcast of the sighting and position of medium-sized floating ice fragments (bergy bits), especially in northern sea routes.
View termSeñal de Temporal Severo
An official maritime signal indicating imminent or present severe gale conditions (Beaufort Force 9–10) requiring vessels to secure for heavy weather.
View termSolicitud de Pronóstico Metarea
Vessel’s formal demand via GMDSS for the latest meteorological forecast for a specific NAVAREA/METAREA region.
View termTemperatura Superficial del Mar
Measured or satellite-derived temperature of ocean top centimetre, critical for routing, icing and cyclogenesis forecasts.
View termViento de Fuerza Huracán
Wind of Beaufort scale 12 (≥ 64 kn) producing phenomenal seas; reported in Metarea bulletins as force 12.
View termVigilancia de Ola de Calor
Pre-warning by meteorological authority that sustained high air temperatures are likely within 48 h, possibly affecting crew endurance, vessel machinery and cargo.
View termÁrea de Baja Presión
A meteorological region where atmospheric pressure is lower than surrounding areas, often associated with unsettled weather, strong winds, and possible cyclonic activity affecting maritime operations.
View termÁrea de Control de Emisiones
Designated sea region where MARPOL Annex VI limits on SOx, NOx and PM apply; requires low-sulphur fuel or equivalent abatement.
View termÍndice de Eficiencia Energética
Calculated parameter (EEXI/EEOI) expressing CO₂ emitted per transport work, mandatory under IMO MARPOL Annex VI.
View term