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VMG, VMC, XTE, TAE: a few explanations

Acronyms are used to concisely specify navigation data. This language was originally developed for marine electronic instruments, GPS units and chart plotters. It is now found in digital navigation applications.

These acronyms, in the form of three capital letters, are the initials of English terms defining navigation-specific data and related functions. They make it easy to display information on screens while taking up very little space. Among them, some can be confusing.

Analysis charts to better understand GRIBs

Sailing is about anticipating. When it comes to weather, anticipating means looking far ahead and well in advance, even for short coastal passages. Tracking weather systems coming from the west over the North Atlantic, for instance, helps plan a good weather window for next weekend’s sail. This applies to all parts of the world.

A pedagogical tool

The ability to overlay meteorological analysis charts on GRIB files provides a better understanding of weather phenomena and their evolution. The display of fronts complements the colourised data representation — such as wind strength — and the point symbols like vectors and barbs in GRIB files.