Voluntary observing ship program
Encyclopedia
Due to the importance of surface weather observation
s from the surface of the ocean, the voluntary observing ship program, known as VOS, was set up to train crews how to take weather observations while at sea and also to calibrate weather sensors used aboard ships when they arrive in port, such as barometer
s and thermometer
s.
Surface weather observation
Surface weather observations are the fundamental data used for safety as well as climatological reasons to forecast weather and issue warnings worldwide. They can be taken manually, by a weather observer, by computer through the use of automated weather stations, or in a hybrid scheme using...
s from the surface of the ocean, the voluntary observing ship program, known as VOS, was set up to train crews how to take weather observations while at sea and also to calibrate weather sensors used aboard ships when they arrive in port, such as barometer
Barometer
A barometer is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure. Pressure tendency can forecast short term changes in the weather...
s and thermometer
Thermometer
Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer is a device that measures temperature or temperature gradient using a variety of different principles. A thermometer has two important elements: the temperature sensor Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer (from the...
s.
External links
- World Meteorological Organization
- The Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM)
- JCOMM Voluntary Observing Ship Scheme
- VOS on NOSA
- Australian Voluntary Observing Fleet
- Canadian Voluntary Observing Ships Program
- Dutch Voluntary Observing Ships and PMO Web Site
- Hong Kong Voluntary Observing Ships Scheme
- Indian Voluntary Observing Fleet
- United States Voluntary Observing Ship Program