Prediction of upcoming weather is best done with 500 mb upper air charts. Wind information at this 500 mb (18,000 feet) level which is the lower level of the jet stream, has the most pronounced effect of weather at the surface. In this book, Chen and Chesneau merge the seamanship of a master mariner with the forecasting expertise of a senior meteo­rologist, to provide readers to a double barrel exposure to what actually goes on in the atmosphere and on the sea's surface.

The authors cut to the chase, creating a readable text brim­ming with useful graphics. It's focus is on the root cause of how and why bad weather develops and where it's likely to go. Capt Chen shares his well-tested routing strategy, and describes how he factors in the 500 mb chart.

Bear in mind that this is a text book, not exactly designed for fireside reading. Nevertheless, it is an invaluable resource for all sailors, and may well be the ultimate reference on the 500 mb chart. List price $49.95. HC, 2008, 245 pgs. SW 3 lbs

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