FTP MAIL SERVICE – Instructions

THE NOAA provides all mariners with an automatic system for sending meteorological charts issued by Ocean Prediction CenterThe sending of meteorological maps is done automatically via e-mail in the following manner:

• Step 1: We send an e-mail to the address NWS.FTPMail.OPS@noaa.gov

• Step 2: In the subject we write what we want

• Step 3: In the main body of the e-mail, write the following commands

open

fax cd

get (map name in CAPITALS)

quit

Here is an example:

In the example below, with the command get PYAA11.TIF and with the command getPYAA12.TIF we will receive after a while two e-mails, each containing a map for the western and eastern parts of the Atlantic. The names of the maps can be found at the following address:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf while more detailed instructions for the service can be found at the following address: http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/ftpmail.txt.

In the above pdf, you will find the names for the Atlantic on pages 71-72 and for the Pacific on pages 74-75.

The service is free and you are only charged for the file you download, according to the current e-mail service charge. Each map has an average size of 25 to 80 kb. So if you download the 9 maps (4 analyses and 5 forecasts) related to the surface daily, the monthly volume of the maps does not exceed 10 MB.

Tips

• Surface analyses are issued 4 times daily, at 00z, 06z, 12z and 18z. Each analysis is delayed from the valid time of the map by approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. For example, the 00z analysis is ready every day in the time window from 0230z to 0315z.
• The +24-hour forecast maps are issued only for the western Pacific and Atlantic oceans, twice a day. The maps are based on the NOAA GFS global model runs at 0000z and 1200z. Each forecast is delayed from the model initialization by about 5-6 hours. For example, the 24-hour forecast based on the 0000z run is issued around 0530z.
• The +48-hour forecast maps are issued for the entire Pacific and Atlantic oceans, also twice a day. The maps are based on the NOAA GFS global model runs at 0000z and 1200z. Each forecast is delayed from the model initialization by about 5-6 hours. For example, the 48-hour forecast based on the 0000z run is issued around 0530z.
• The +96 hour forecast maps are issued for the entire Pacific and Atlantic oceans, once a day. The maps are based on the NOAA GFS global model run at 1200z. Each forecast is delayed from the model initialization by about 6-7 hours. For example, the 48 hour forecast is ready each day around 1800z.
• Analyses and forecasts for 500mb and waves are generally released earlier. In particular, for the Atlantic Ocean, an additional forecast map is issued with a validity of +36 hours.
• Tip: Send two emails at a time. The first, about three hours after 0000z or 1200z for the analyses (surface, 500 mb and waves) and the second 6 hours later for all forecast maps, so you are sure to receive the most recent maps. Be careful though, the 96 hour forecast is only updated once a day.

In our seminar titled “Modern Marine Meteorology“ detailing all the methods by which you can receive on board all the official meteorological data via your email, while allowing you to practice using your laptop, as if you were on board.

If you would like to print the instructions please click here while if you want a useful table with ready-made e-mails, click here.

If there are any questions get in touch with us.