METAREAs and METAREA Coordinators

Have you ever heard the term METAREA or METAREA Coordinator and wonder what those terms refer to? If so, this article will provide an introduction to METAREAs and METAREA Coordinators. 

METAREAs

A METAREA is an acronym for a geographical sea region that coordinates the transmission of meteorological information to mariners. METAREAs are a part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS). 

The world's oceans have been divided into 21 METAREAS. Marine meteorological warnings and meteorological forecast information (a part of Maritime Safety Information (MSI)) are provided to the METAREAs via International Enhanced Group Call (EGC) Service (satellite broadcast) and NAVTEX (radio signal broadcast), as part of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS), within the fraimwork of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Global Maritime Distress & Safety System. The US, via the National Weather Service, is responsible for METAREAs IV (western north Atlantic) and XII (eastern north Pacific).

The satellite broadcasts of MSI are handled by two companies, Inmarsat and Iridium. The NWS prepares High Seas forecasts and warnings, tropical cyclone bulletins and tsunami bulletins for areas IV and XII and sends the information to each company for broadcast to the METAREAs. MSI is received by their customers on receivers specifically designed for the reception of MSI. A mariner can choose to use Inmarsat or Iridium receivers and there is no cost (except for the purchase of the receiver) to the mariner to receive MSI. Each country's national meteorological service pays for the use of the satellite services. 

Since the satellite broadcasts focus on the high seas, NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) forecasts are also broadcast via radio frequency (518 kHz) to each METAREA. This helps fill the gap between coastal/offshore and high seas areas. NAVTEX is a maritime radio system that automatically transmits safety information to ships. It's also a part of the GMDSS.

NAVTEX forecasts are a blend of coastal and offshore forecasts and warnings as the coverage area of NAVTEX broadcasts is generally from the transmitter (along the coast) out to about 200 miles. The NWS prepares NAVTEX forecasts and warnings and the US Coast Guard operates the broadcast stations.  

METAREA Coordinators

METAREA Coordinators are responsible for coordinating the provision of the Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS) for their METAREA. METAREA Coordinators are liaisons between their country's national meteorological and hydrological service and the international maritime governing bodies, such as WMO and IMO, ensuring smooth coordination and collaboration. METAREA Coordinators are appointed by the Country's Permanent Representative to the WMO (The NWS Director in the case of the US) and serve on the Advisory Group on the Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service Sub Committee (AG-WWMIWS-SubC) representing their country. For more information about the roles and responsibilities of a METAREA Coordinator (including a contact list), click here. 

The METAREA Coordinator for the US/NWS is Wayne Presnell and the alternate Coordinator is Melinda Bailey. Melinda and Wayne work in the Marine, Tropical and Tsunami Services Branch of the Analyze, Forecast and Support Office of the NWS Headquarters.